Have you ever wondered what on earth you are here for? I hear both Christians and non-Christians talking about their mission in life, or what their calling is. How do I know what I am supposed to be doing to fulfill my purpose? If God is in control what does He expect from me?
I remember growing up, working with my dad. I enjoyed the security of working with him and the challenge of pleasing him. I often times wondered if this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I felt security with my dad but also frustration in not doing my own thing. I wrestled with those thoughts well up into adulthood. It wasn’t until one day that my dad called me into his office and asked, “Is this what you want to do or is there something else that interests you?” That day I had to decide. Up until that day, I was just going through the motions.
When I made the decision to stay and work with my dad rather than for him, work became fun, challenging, and fulfilling. I looked forward to going to work and began looking for ways to make things better. Work became an opportunity to use the skills my dad had taught me, and the talents God had given me, to improve rather than exist.
About that same time I was also making a decision about my relationship with God, and it was very similar. Did I want to continue going through the motions; church, Sunday school, youth work, or did I want to commit my life to serving the Lord? A real question that I again wrestled with…can I do both?
Matthew chapter 6 helped me with the answer. Starting with verse 25 Jesus tells his followers that if their focus is right then everything falls into place. “Do not worry about your life…who of you by worrying can add a single hour…but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Psalms 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
God uses Christians in every walk of life to be an example of his love. Before anyone sets foot in a church service they have eyed someone who they think is a Christian to see if they are real and genuine. Not perfect but sincere. Matthew 5:14 says, “Let your light shine before men…” As Christians we can bring light into the work place. We should be that light that brightens the day.
When Paul came face to face with Jesus he said, “What shall I do, Lord?” His conclusion was that he needed to stop running from the Lord and begin running for the Lord. Paul continued to work making tents but he also began to live for the Lord. Paul later declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Acts 1:16)
What are we here for…to serve God where we are and in what we do. I once heard a sports star say that he did not want to be an example to others. As Christians, we don’t have that option.
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