CALLING
I conducted a workshop at Tenth Presbyterian Church's urban missions conference this morning, on the subject of business and missions. Fortunately, I had a diverse and spirited group of attendees, and as a result we had a fascinating and meaningful discussion. Much of our time together focused on the subject of calling. Even as I challenged everyone to consider how to use their business skills to achieve Kingdom purposes (i.e. through non-profits and economic development work), many in the room also had important things to say and ask on the subject of being a leavening agent in their workforces (regardless of the mission of the business itself).
In both cases, I stressed the importance of humbling oneself before God, being accountable to a community of Christian supporters, and then trusting one's instinct of what it was that God would have them to do vocationally. Many in attendance marveled at just how many people have no clue of what their calling is. One person remarked that it is a subject that is unfortunately only discussed in the context of Christian ministry -- a pastor or missionary, for example -- and not in the context of the professional jobs that most people have. Another person shared about how he quit his job because he could not find any relevance to his organization's work, and when he challenged a co-worker to answer him about why this business existed, was given only a blank stare.
One of the points I was trying to make is that for many of us, the thing we give most of our time and energy to is our job and our organization. As Christians, we darn better take the time to decide whether or not that particular job and this particular organization is worth that time and energy. Our time on this earth is brief, and our energy finite; what a waste if we are giving most of it to something that doesn't mean something. Whether it is working vigorously for a company and cause that we believe in, or using the opportunity within a company to minister to those inside that company, I believe we are accountable to God and one another to redeem that time and energy.
The discernment of calling is, I believe, a lifelong pursuit: a journey, more than a destination. May we who have been blessed with higher educational opportunities and professional vocational choices surrender this aspect of our lives in its totality to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Thus may we be free to know that all of our time and energy is being utilized purposefully, for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
I conducted a workshop at Tenth Presbyterian Church's urban missions conference this morning, on the subject of business and missions. Fortunately, I had a diverse and spirited group of attendees, and as a result we had a fascinating and meaningful discussion. Much of our time together focused on the subject of calling. Even as I challenged everyone to consider how to use their business skills to achieve Kingdom purposes (i.e. through non-profits and economic development work), many in the room also had important things to say and ask on the subject of being a leavening agent in their workforces (regardless of the mission of the business itself).
In both cases, I stressed the importance of humbling oneself before God, being accountable to a community of Christian supporters, and then trusting one's instinct of what it was that God would have them to do vocationally. Many in attendance marveled at just how many people have no clue of what their calling is. One person remarked that it is a subject that is unfortunately only discussed in the context of Christian ministry -- a pastor or missionary, for example -- and not in the context of the professional jobs that most people have. Another person shared about how he quit his job because he could not find any relevance to his organization's work, and when he challenged a co-worker to answer him about why this business existed, was given only a blank stare.
One of the points I was trying to make is that for many of us, the thing we give most of our time and energy to is our job and our organization. As Christians, we darn better take the time to decide whether or not that particular job and this particular organization is worth that time and energy. Our time on this earth is brief, and our energy finite; what a waste if we are giving most of it to something that doesn't mean something. Whether it is working vigorously for a company and cause that we believe in, or using the opportunity within a company to minister to those inside that company, I believe we are accountable to God and one another to redeem that time and energy.
The discernment of calling is, I believe, a lifelong pursuit: a journey, more than a destination. May we who have been blessed with higher educational opportunities and professional vocational choices surrender this aspect of our lives in its totality to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Thus may we be free to know that all of our time and energy is being utilized purposefully, for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
Comments