My mother's grandchildren, are for the most part, either seeking careers, beginning their careers, or just starting to thrive in their careers. For example, one of my nieces started her first "full-time job" yesterday, having finished her master's degree this past summer. A nephew is in the process of nailing down a huge step in his budding career. Another niece was on the cover of a couple of local magazines recently.... God is so richly blessing each of them in their work, and I am so grateful! Many, many prayers have been prayed over these children and continue to be prayed.
What is work?
Some would say that "work" is a way to earn money, in order to sustain oneself (and family, if applicable) - - to put food on the table and clothes on the back.
However, that is only one aspect of work.
Yes, we must participate in some degree of "commerce" in order to survive on this planet. It is very difficult for a person to go out into the wild (aka Eric Robert Rudolph in the mountains of NC) and survive for very long alone. (He didn't, and he thought of himself as a survivalist....)
But, "work" is more than "making a living".
We tend to judge people according to the kinds of work they do. For example, someone who makes a lot of money is praised, while someone who makes a small salary (or works for "free") we disdain. The reason we do this, aside from our sinful natures, is that we make judgments of "success" based on appearances.
God does not do that. He judges, based on a person's heart, and how they used the gifts they were given. See Luke 12:36-48 (parable of the 10 virgins) and Matthew 25:14-30 (parable of the talents).
{As you read the latter, keep in mind a "talent" was a coin or an amount of money.}
So, as a foundational first step, we need to have a biblical definition of "work".
"Work is using the gifts that God has given, in order to make a positive difference for Jesus Christ in this world."
Now, permit me to defend that definition which, to some of you, will sound vague, impractical and New-Agey.
The definition is undergirded by the following beliefs from Scripture:
1. God knew and formed each of us in our mother's womb. He created us each as one-of-a-kind, with particular gifts and talents. (Psalm 139:13)
2. Once we have begun a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus, we begin to learn His mind and heart as we discover our own, individual set of abilities. He reveals this to us, as we walk with Him. (1 Chronicles 28:9) Here David is speaking to his son, Solomon. "Know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind." Then, 1 Chronicles 22:19
"Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD."
Notice that the command was to FIRST make the irrevocable decision to seek God before entering into any kind of work, even work that was "for him", in this specific case, beginning to construct the Temple. The importance of this can't be overstated.
3. When we apply our gifts and talents to working for His kingdom and as we seek His face in faith, He will lead us, open doors for us, and enable us to serve Him through our "work". (Proverbs 3:5-6)
A well-known adage (attributed to Confucius, Marc Anthony AND Mark Twain) goes something like this:
"Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
In other words, if you choose to make a living by working at something that fuels your passion, it won't feel like work to you at all. It will not be drudgery, and you will work hard at it, because you love it. Consequently, you will be successful at it.
Water4 is a non-profit ministry that was born out of the lives of ordinary, Christian working people, the Greenly family.1
They make a living", but they also make a difference for God's kingdom. Click the link below.
And, so Christian, determining what God wants us to do at any particular time with our time, resources, gifts, talents, involves asking the question: "What's Your Well?"
What has Jesus given to you that you can use to both "make a living" and further His kingdom?
This is what I ask myself continually.....
How can you bring "sweet water"?
Source:
1 water4.org
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