CAREER?

I want to preface before I continue writing this blog.

Preface: In preparation to write this blog, I have read Working For God by Andrew Murray and the scriptures extensively.

This post has come out of several conversations with friends and even for myself I want to biblical go through this topic. Also, I remember listening to a chapel services from Dallas Theological Seminary on this very topic.

I want to pose a theme question. Can you work a career(job) and fulfill a calling at the same time?

You may read this and automatically say "yes!" I think the question is simplistic in nature but very complex because we need a proper definition of career and calling.

Career connotes objects of authority. When I think of a career, I think of one's occupation as defined by the dictionary. Another definition would be "a general progression of your working or professional life." When I think of career think of choice. You choose to receive training in this area and now you need "dadada (drumroll please)" experience. You work on experience to enable yourself to manage those with no experience some designated time in the future.

Is that it? Is there no more to working in a career than that? Not trying to demean the process but doesn't a follower of Christ live for more than that. Now, I do want to state that the work itself can be done to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,"

A career has objects, A calling has an object.

In the 27th chapter of Working for God he says, "The gospel never takes away anything from us without giving us something better in its stead. It meets the desire for riches by the command to be rich in good works. Good works are the coin that is current in God's kingdom: according to these will be the reward in the world to come. By abounding in good works we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Even here on earth they constitute a treasure, in the testimony of a good conscience, in the consciousness of being well pleasing to God (1 John 3) in the power of blessing others."

Titus 2:14 - who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Calling.

John 1:12 - But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

When I think of calling, I think of life and the "Christian" answer Jesus giving His life for me. I think of the everyday of life, though. Calling does not have words like retirement. Your calling is a lifelong endeavor for the glory of God.

Andrew Murray spoke extensively about good works and the first passage of scripture that comes to mind is James 2:14-26 for me.

James 2:26 - For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

I do not like sharing stories of myself but I am qualify because that is what I am about to do. My very first job out of college that I took with a temporary mindset and the job was only temporary to me. Before I continue, when I say temporary I mean ready to leave and go do something else. I will perfect every task but I know this job has a definite end date. Initial it was in hopes to go overseas with the Peace Corps which requires a hard-earned Bachelor's degree. This job, however, does not need a degree. By definition, I would be over-qualified to work. I began to question statements or phrases like over-qualified, thank God it is Friday t.g.i.f, the weekend is almost here, or my favorite phrase when things are slow is to not say that it is slow. Who is over-qualified to work? Why thank God only for Friday? What happens when the weekend comes? What happens when you say it is slow or fast and how does that change the pace of work that is already taken place and will continue? Maybe, I have too much time on my hands to think about those kind of questions. Are those questions not valid, though?

If I can work, I work with all of my heart. Colossians 3:23,24 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
If I can give thanks, I thank God in unceasing reverence. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
If I can have weekends, I want to look for the opportunity to rest. I want to look for the opportunity to find solitude in Him. All the instances of Jesus withdrawing from the crowds and even the apostles. Here is one instance, Matthew 26:36-39 - Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

A career can only fill. A calling fulfills.

Do what you are called to do not what you are supposed to do.

I hope that answers the theme question.

Jason's Video

Anxious

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak at Carmen's class on the Life of Christ. I enjoy studying the Bible and going to the root words. I am one of those people who constantly tweak and the presentation is never good enough. Of course, I ask myself, "what does 'good' enough really mean?"

If I believe that it is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that transforms lives then it is not a matter of 'good' or 'bad' because God is at work. I am there to proclaim, to herald that Gospel.

There is an element of respect for time. So, I agonize over the time frame by which I am allotted to herald. I over-prepare because it is easier to take information out then to add it in after the fact. In my preparation, I do not put in jokes or examples yet examples come out and depending on the subject matter there could be appealing commentary.

I was thinking about this anxious and agonizing process. It is probably human nature that or at least I know my personality is wanting everything thing to be done perfectly. I understand that the work that we do because the people are the church not the building is an act of worship to God.

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6,7"

In light of Philippians, Paul is saying to be anxious about nothing. He is imperatively saying be anxious about nothing. He is encouraging his brothers and sisters who are his joy and crown.

Paul setup this verse in verse 5.

"Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]." - Philippians 4:5 (Amplified)

I can't help not but to obey and not be anxious considering that as we are lights in the world. Let all men know, perceive, and recognize your unselfishness, your consideraness, and another word used is gentleness.

I love those words because it involves the fruit of the Spirit. And I end with Galatians 5:22-24

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Powerpoint For Engage 2-18-10

Also, Here is the .pdf link.
Bible Document

Balance

When I do something, I do it with all of my heart. I am a natural zealous person for topics of that keep my attention. Not that I need much to keep me occupied but the principle stands true that when I am captivated I am full on passionate. I had some great advice given recently. I will summarize in my own words. I am the kind of person that wants to dive in and look into the Greek and Hebrew. Just going deep. I want so desperately for all those in my influence to go deep.

Yes, going deep is vital and exhorting our brothers and sisters in the faith to run that marathon is vital. It is also vital understand those under your care.

It is a balance of presenting the Word of God exegetically while not presenting the Scriptures in a way that can not be replicated/duplicated to instill confidence in the believer. Now, I understand that God is sovereign, eternal, everywhere and everything is in His grasp by a spoken word.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

Jesus came full of grace and truth. That literal perfect balance.

When given the opportunity to speak, I am aware that "yes" the Gospel is Good News and it is hard.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

I herald with the passion God has given and pray that He instills a confidence to stand firm on the Word.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1,2

This Is The Post I Made On The Trinity

ENGAGE!: Conversation with Victor / Update #3 / Follow-up

Zeal

Lately it feels like I have been talking about zeal with guys. Also, that is one of the things that from what I am told guys see in me and want to be around.

A desperate zeal for God and the things of God.
A strong zeal for hatred of sin.

As I am blogging I recount the passage in the Gospel of John.

John 2:17 - His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me."

G2205 - zēlos
excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit

The context in the Book of John 2, Jesus finished performing His first Miracle. The Water into Wine and in John 2:11, "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him." Then Jesus goes from a Wedding to The Temple and found those selling oxen, pigeons, sheep and money changers.

I have always heard that this is the example of righteous anger or How to Properly Turn Tables. Ruminating currently, this passage could be put into words close to my heart an example of issues to wage war over and actively over zealously make things right for the Kingdom of God.

So, when Jesus goes to Capernaum stays a few days then to Jerusalem where the Passover is at hand. I have some keywords that I pull from John 2:13-17

* In verse 13, we know as believers that Jesus is 100% God, some would use the word divine, and 100% man. Because He is God, He knows the hearts of men and knows what awaits Him in Jerusalem yet He still goes in order as we later see to fulfill the scriptures. I love those lines like "according to the scriptures." In verse 13 alone, I see obedience and humility.

* In verse 14, we have observation. Not just observation... but observation of a problem and verse 15 is the solution. I love all throughout scripture that God uses questions to engage humanity to delve deeper but here we have right-standing reaction.

* In verse 15, In the previous paragraph I stated right-standing reaction and proper use of non-verbal communication.

* In verse 16, we have verbal communication and excommunication of those who are violating His Fathers House.

* In verse 17, I see remembrance of the Scriptures Psalms 69:9. I remember conversation I had with professors and I remember them saying that the twelve apostles were the New Testament. In that remembrance that the fervour is consuming.

Zeal. Let us be zealous of God and for the things of God. Let us have a zeal for hatred of sin (singular!).

I appreciate all the comments. I did not do a typical exposition. I wanted to keep the context of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ zeal for His Father's House.