“Don’t rank the Godliness of work based on it being church related.” Dan Miller of 48 Days to the Work You Love
When I first heard this statement, it really resonated with me. As someone who works a secular job, it is easy to discount that job as less Godly than my ministry job. But, hasn’t God called me to work the second job just as much as the first? I believe the answer is yes, though that can be a tough pill to swallow. Does God actually call people to secular careers? One again, yes.
For many of us, the reality is that our primary income source and often the biggest consumer of our time is a job that has little to do with church ministry. There is a very small percentage of Christians who are employed directly by a church or ministry.
What would happen if we all started putting the passion into our secular work that we put into our ministry? I’d admit that I often find myself struggling to find the purpose of my other job, mainly because I feel strongly called to work with children. But lately God has been showing me that He put me here for a reason (He just hasn’t told me what the reason is yet). In fact, I think God needs me out here, interacting with others and learning from their stories.
You know how when you least want to hear a certain Bible verse, God usually has someone share it with you? Well, whenever I’m really frustrated with work and want to do less than my best, God usually speaks this verse to me. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Then, I ignore Him, so He has someone “share” the same verse with me. Then I get frustrated because I don’t want to hear that! I want to hear David in the Psalms calling down judgement on those who mistreat him. But God’s right, I’m not doing my day job OR my ministry job for others, I’m doing it for Him. It doesn’t matter what my job is, it isn’t about me and it isn’t about anybody else, it is about doing what God has asked me to do.
So the next time you feel like someone else is called to ministry and you’re stuck in a job, just stop. Being called of God goes way beyond ministry. God calls people to every single line of work including teachers, business people, lawyers, politicians, garbage collectors, stay-at-home mom or dad, bank teller, accountant, retail clerk, and, well, you get the picture.
So, I probably shouldn’t be reading this at work? Darn! This whole conviction thing is tough!
In all seriousness though – great article and great reminder. It’s easy to get caught up in what we wish God had called us to and ignore the place he has actually put us!
Keep up the great work.
Gosh Jared…get out of my head LOL. A timely word for me friend. Thanks for sharing.
I think God puts some of us in jobs that allow for some extra time to read (or write) blog posts and such. As long as it isn’t interfering with your quality of work. At least, that’s what I’ve convinced myself. 🙂
I completely agree. Even when I’m not doing work for my kid’s ministry, I can still have a Godly impact on people in my secular job. God puts us out there to help serve, even it is not directly related to his work. Wearing a Christian cross or saying a prayer before a meal in the sights of others, spreads his teaching passively.
Don’t ever feel less connected by having a another job; unfortunately, we still have to gain an income to live in this humanly world.
God bless.
Great article. Thanks for the reminder!