Scriptures: 1 Cor 7:17, 20-21, 24; Col 3:17, 23
Introduction
The subject of career is one of the many topics with diverse perspectives. Many of us believe that our career is the professional part of our lives and as a result should not be spiritualized. What we do not know is that the reality of any life following Christ is not in compartments; his or her life is a whole and the wholeness is Christ’s including career, marital….etc.
Like every other subject, we must seek to learn Christ’s perspective so that our decisions and actions will be as result of our understanding and not just men’s opinion. God is interested in our lives because He seeks to achieve His will and purpose through it. Our career therefore at best should be a platform in which God can use to achieve His eternal plan.
So, is God’s will finding true expression in my career? Are souls being reached because of what i do? Is my stewardship capacity increasing so that i can do more for my master? These are questions we must genuinely ask ourselves and answer so that in examining ourselves, we can make the right adjustment where necessary.
Paradigm Shift
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. . . . Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) . . . So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God” Paul does not tell the believers to leave their current work and become missionaries or pastors. He tells them to remain where they are and serve God from there because it is God who defines our lives and not our career.
He wrote something similar to the Colossians, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” Col 3:17. It is not so much what we are doing that matters, as for whom we are doing it. We glorify God when we work hard and cheerfully and this is because the harder we work, the more God’s kingdom and His righteousness advances.
Applications
I must reckon that my career doesn’t define me, God does. I must from this understanding do my best to work from my heart knowing fully well that my real master is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible for it. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work. My work must therefore be laced with excellence.
I must see my career as the platform to do the Father’s work, my commitment to it must be as Jesus committed to the Father’s work.
What Would Jesus Do?
Jesus’ life was characterized by the work of the Father day and night. He used every occasion to draw men to God’s eternal kingdom. This is what i must do also as my Master provides for me a pattern in Him to follow.