Thursday: Choosing a Course
At some point, we have to make the choice about what we want to do with our lives in terms of a job or career. Unless independently wealthy or working full-time at home taking care of the house and family (the most noble of all occupations), many people have to choose a path as far as earning a living goes.
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Of course, we all exist in certain circumstances that can, to a great degree, limit our choices regarding a career. But within whatever sphere we exist, we can make choices regarding our occupation that, especially in the context of knowing that we have salvation in Jesus Christ, can give our lives added meaning and purpose. In short, whatever we do, we can do for the glory of God.
What mistake did Solomon make, and how can we be careful not to do something similar? Eccles. 2:1-11.
We don’t need to be rich to get caught up in the same trap that Solomon did. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10, NKJV). One can be poor and love money just as much as someone does who is rich.
Yes, we need to earn a living, but regardless of what we do or how much we make, we need not make the pursuit of wealth an idol. Many families, too, have suffered from a father who, obsessed with making money, neglected the family in order to try to get rich. How many children, or spouses, would have preferred a humbler lifestyle over an impoverished relationship with their father? In most cases, people would have preferred the former over the latter.
From Creation, God planned for work to be part of life (Gen. 2:15). The danger is when we make our work the center of our life, or it becomes a means of solely acquiring wealth for ourselves. This is the mistake Solomon made. He was searching for meaning in those projects, and even though many brought him a degree of satisfaction, at the end he figured out that they were meaningless.
| Someone once said: “How many people, at the end of their lives, wished they had spent more time in the office and less time with their family?” What’s the important message in this statement? |
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Choosing a job was easy for me. I finished my education, applied for a teaching job with the church, and worked for the church for 43 years. I admit to having a midlife crisis after 16 years, when teaching maths and science became stale. But by that time, I had developed an interest in computer science and just at the right time, I had the opportunity to teach computing and do research at the same time. Having taught in the Adventist Education System for so long, I had the privilege of teaching not only the children but some of the grandchildren of my early students. Although my career choice was straight forward, having been involved in teaching young people all my life I am very familiar with the issues of choosing a career. Some young people know what they want and go for it. Others have some lofty idea about what they want to do and are entirely unsuited to it. Others simply cannot make up their minds and live in a state of confusion. I have seen and counselled all types, some successfully and others, well …
Here is a case history, heavily disguised to protect the innocent:
I think of a young person studying for the ministry, He continually doubted his calling (suitability) to the ministry. He had come across my horizon because he had a background in computing and wanted a couple of optional subjects to fill out his degree. In all honesty, he was not a “people person” and in our out-of-class discussions when he had broached the idea of career paths, I said to him that if God had called him to be a computer programmer, then heaven forbid that he stoop to being a minister. It was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment, but it set him thinking and he realized his calling was indeed computer programming. He became a successful IT manager and at the same time was a powerful witness as a layperson in a way which I don’t think he ever imagined when he was studying to be a minister.
Although career choice is essentially seen as a young person’s problem, nowadays older people are making career changes that are in many ways just as challenging. Research has shown that many people are going through 5 or 6 career changes during their lifetime. Often these changes mean being reeducated. I mentioned my career change above. After teaching high school maths and science for 16 years I felt the need of a change. I had had a long interest in computing and when the opportunity came to move from teaching high school into tertiary teaching, still within the Adventist Education System, I took it. The really significant thing that happened to me was that I had to become a student again as I studied for my computing qualifications. It made me realize the importance of being seen by my students as a fellow learner rather than a source of knowledge. That change of attitude remained with me for the rest of my career.
Two things I ask of you Lord; do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches,
But give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Prov 30:7-9 (NIV)
amen
Solomon had everything he needed,kingship,riches,wives,conqeubines,wisdom.but down inside his heart there was still empitness which his possesions could not fill,a good career or job is not bad but we will still be empty within if we put everything above God, our success depends on how close we are with the Lord.Nikodemus could be ranked among the billioneres in the present society but he still needed something more than what he had(i.e salvation).Let us ask God to help us choose careers and jobs wisely which will enable us glorify His name and grow spiritually as we wait for the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
I spent 20 years working as a registered nurse and was unable to deal with the stress. I went to work sewing for 12 years professionally, even had a small company of my own for 2 of those years. I also worked for a call center for 13 years after that.
Our children are grown but do not attend church; we continue to pray for them; and hope they will soon realise their need for Christ.
My husband and I are retired and are learning to communicate with God's help.
the lesson from Solomon is that he depended on his works to bring him happiness and satisfaction...contrast Solomon with Paul who depended on his relationship with the LORD to bring him happiness and satisfaction....we will be happy and satisfied in our occupation if we have a relationship with the LORD first rather than our own selfishness.
In everything we do let it glorify God.
Work should be chosen that glorifies
God.