It's very easy for us Christians to feel stuck in a mold. We look around, trying to model our lives after those we admire. We try to conform to their beliefs and personalities and books. Instead of looking to imitate them as they imitate Christ in a way personal to us, we attempt to repeat their choices.
So, the Church can become a semi-indistinguishable mass when it comes to our futures goals. Everyone wants to be in full-time ministry or a missionary, not taking into consideration if their personalities or persistent struggles line up with it.
There is caution to be taken.
It isn't shameful to step back and acknowledge that maybe your quick-tempered, impatient, or somber personality, or the fact that you are prone to condescension or gossip or people-pleasing probably should exclude you from becoming a prominent church leader.
And there are also spiritual gifts to be considered, because the Holy Spirit controls them and He knows what we've been created to do. We are all equipped with different talents and interests given to us by God to diligently study, practice, and improve upon. And He has given these skills very specifically, according to His will.
We all have different personalities, and, even if we are in the process of being sanctified, some aspects of said personalities should cause us to rethink placing ourselves in a position in which we know we will stumble and possibly destroy the Lord's reputation to hundreds or even thousands of people. We don't need to knowingly place ourselves in tempting situations to prove we are stronger than sin. Running in the opposite direction will typically prove more efficient.
We all have different personalities, and, even if we are in the process of being sanctified, some aspects of said personalities should cause us to rethink placing ourselves in a position in which we know we will stumble and possibly destroy the Lord's reputation to hundreds or even thousands of people. We don't need to knowingly place ourselves in tempting situations to prove we are stronger than sin. Running in the opposite direction will typically prove more efficient.
Look, the desire to lead a congregation is a great thing. Many people are made for ministerial jobs, and if those truly called and equipped were not willing, we little sheep would be in sore shape. However, there are other jobs and activities that can bring glory to God. You don't need to be at the pulpit or in the jungle to make a difference for the Lord, and we shouldn't pretend that "secular" jobs are ever truly secular for the Christian.
God made each of us individually. We shouldn't feel pressure to ignore things which stir up our affections for Him. Personally, any time I read something about space, or the order found through scientific study, or archaeology, or even architecture, I am filled with awe for the Lord and how He maintains His creation and reputation throughout all time. The study or practice of any subject that creates that response in us is worship. Maybe through the discipline of sports or the creative planning of an outfit or the building of furniture causes you to think of the Lord with thankfulness and awe. No Christian should ever tell you that is not a holy occupation.
It is frustrating to me that we tend not to encourage pursuing a career as an engineer or business owner or, I don't know, race car driver as much as we encourage those who talk about working at a church or in a foreign country. Why do we see anything a Christian does as "common", when God has redeemed us through His Son, calling us and our lives "holy to the Lord," dedicated to His purpose?
Becoming a pastor would be disobedience for the man God called to mow lawns. Forsaking the comforts of home to do full-time missions in a dangerous place would be sin for the woman God called to take care of her elderly parents back home. (And of course the opposite can also be true.)
Every job becomes holy when the person doing it has been reconciled to the Lord and "honors Him as holy" (1 Peter 3:15). And there are no inherently "holy" occupations that would excuse you for ignoring God's direction.
Every job becomes holy when the person doing it has been reconciled to the Lord and "honors Him as holy" (1 Peter 3:15). And there are no inherently "holy" occupations that would excuse you for ignoring God's direction.
Above all, we are never excused from sharing the Gospel, no matter our personalities or occupations. If we're better suited to do that by "low-class" work, do it with passion and diligence, for the glory of the Lord. If suited to "high-profile" work, do it with that same passion and diligence, for the glory of the Lord. If it is His calling for us, we should never be swayed by the title and "nobility" of the task, only by the title and nobility of the Christ Who bought us with His blood. Our consideration should be "always, only Christ" and how we can be of most use to Him today.
Whatever situation the Lord has for us, remember Him and acknowledge Him in all your ways. That is the occupation He commends.
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