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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Work

Our church just finished up a 4 part series called "The Gospel &". Different pastors dug into worldy issues and opened our eyes to what the gospel says about certain topics. Sometimes it's hard for us as humans to look at a situation and say "well what does this have to do with Jesus and the gospel?". I am a repeat offender when the answer is in plain sight. I am punching the keys on my laptop right now because the son of God shed blood for my life and my freedom. I owe thanks for everything to Him... that is the connection! The Good News.

I wanted to highlight a few points from each sermon and share my thoughts on how powerful these were in my life but my notes are lost in a sea of baby brain, nesting projects, traveling, and more. So today I wanted to share a little about my reaction to the sermon on work. The gospel says to go out into all nations and make disciples, right?

The Austin Stone, The Gospel & Series
The Gospel & Depression
The Gospel & Sex
The Gospel & Money
The Gospel & Work

In my life, work is something that I take very seriously but I don't find my identity in it. I love seeing people who are so passionate (and have always been passionate) about their line of work, my husband included. Now you may be confused because Jon sells IT management software. How is he passionate about security monitoring and netflow? He is passionate about it because it is a calling from the Lord. Now I don't think the Lord will say to Jon at the pearly gates at the end of his human life and say, "Well done good and faithful servant, you sold millions of dollars worth of software to prevent network crashes and security breaches." But I think I have an idea what He will say. Jon gets to spend everyday interacting with people, connecting on much more than a professional level, to really understand their needs. Not a week goes by that he doesn't come home excited to share how God encouraged him to talk to a certain customer about his family or ask him more when a partner mentioned church. Unfortunately Jon can't go out and preach the gospel at his business meetings but boy does God have a way of allowing Jon to share the good news!! I used to be envious of this because I never felt my job gave me as much spiritual fulfillment as Jon's but I know my job isn't my ultimate calling. Don't get me wrong... I like my job... actually I like it a lot, but I know it is not my destiny. And I have a feeling God will reveal my ultimate calling in August when our baby is born. 

As a fellow 20 something, I look around and see identity crisis' happening everywhere around me. Friends who are 5 years out of college and haven't chosen a career path. Or friends who are 30 years old and can't seem to move on from their pasts to start living their lives in the present. Some of us are luckier than others, some of us are revealed our callings and identities much sooner than others. 

Determining your calling is a gradual process that takes place over time. Creation. Fall. Resurrection. Restoration. Redemption. 

Our pastor talked a lot about Jesus' work during this sermon. It is hard to forget that before Jesus went into ministry, he was a blue collar carpenter for 20 years! Do you ever feel under paid or under appreciated in your work? Look to Jesus. He was the most underpaid and under appreciated yet He remained faithful to joy and service. And  if the King of Kings can leave His throne to work as a lowly carpenter, we can get up off the couch and work, right? Amen?

The Lord calls us to work, but we are not to be defined by our work. We all know life is hard. It is unfair, uneasy, expensive, exhausting. But as Christ followers we can work hard when no one else can because we have the ultimate inheritance coming to us... we have the gospel! The gospel is absolute power to those who believe. 

So whether you are 45 years old and stuck in a mundane job you hate or are 15 years old and trying to discover your true talents and identity, reach for the gospel. The gospel applies to everything in our lives. 

13 comments:

Lauren H Edmondson said...

my dad is a PA in a practice owned by a local university and he has been so blessed that even though it is a "state-run" practice, his boss is a fellow Christian and allows my dad to witness whenever he sees the window for it. He has led several people to Christ in his exam room and encouraged others to attend church or seek counsel during poor health and healthy times alike. It's so wonderful to see the workplace being used as a place of the Lord, especially when you see so many places attempting to remove his presence.

put a bow on it [kaitlyn] said...

Oh my goodness did I need to read this today! Thanks for sharing.

Christelle said...

Hi, Ruthie. I looked your blog up after watching your episode on House Hunters and have really enjoyed reading along everyday. You do such an amazing job of sharing your insight from the messages you hear at church and it helps me with my walk.

I recently went to Salt Lake City for the first time, and appreciated all your recommendations for places to eat!

Congratulations on your sweet little bun in the oven! Can't wait to read what y'all are having...gender reveals are so fun! :)

Christelle

Candice Williams said...

Beautifully written. I never found my identity in my work and really didn't know why I was doing it. I was a server for 5 years. But through those five years I talked to so many people and tried to always listen to them and brighten their day. Now that my "work" is being a stay at home mom, I know this is my calling ;)

Anonymous said...

I am a fairly new follower to your blog and I just love it! Thank you so much for this post today. I really need it. I struggle in my job as I feel I am not challenged or growing. I am often bored. Reminding me of Christ's occupation and how he was unappreciated and underpaid was a new perspective for me. I never thought of it that way. It is true that Jesus would never put us through anything He has never experienced--He understands even the work aspect of our lives! So encouraging! Thank you again, I hope you have a great day!

carrie said...

"Determining your calling is a gradual process that takes place over time"

SO GOOD. I always feel like young people put so much pressure on themselves to figure out their "calling" when their 22 years old. It's a journey that will look different along the way, full of seasons:) That's what I'm learning at least:)

Katie said...

THANK you for this Ruthie! I am a new follower of your blog and found you from my friend Kristin (Busy Bee!) I am so thankful that I got to read these words today. I'm a therapist in an Eating Disorder clinic and it can be SO challenging, yet rewarding. What a great reminder to model ourselves after the most underpaid, under-recognized, under-appreciated worker that is our LORD. I am SO looking forward to reading more from you!

Danielle said...

Ruthie, I loved this post! I simply love when you talk about your faith on your blog in general. I can really see your passion for the Lord through your writing.

I am one of those lucky ones who landed a job right out of college in my field (English), but a lot of my friends are struggling with this. I think it's especially hard for women, we are so torn between career and wifey/mommy roles. And each of us has a different calling!

Are you planning on working after you have the baby? Or do you hope to be a full-time mommy?

Also, my hubs has a very similar job to yours! ;)

Unknown said...

I love this post! :) I'm an ICU nurse and had got in such the habit lately of just doing it because "It's my job." My heart is at home with my sweet boy, but to make it work financially, I have to work three days a week. I had a revelation the other day though as I passed another tear streaked face of a family member. These people's world's are falling apart. Every day. And I get to be a part of it. I get to care for their beloved spouses, their parents, their children. I get to show Jesus to them through my caring hands. It really changed the way I thought about my "job" and helped me live out "working as for the Lord. (Col 2:23)

Nikol Schiller said...

I just had a conversation that was about exactly this on Monday with two girlfriends. Also, how are you liking Austin Stone? Sounds like you're enjoying it! I have some friends who go there and love it also. Miss ya, lady! Love keeping up with your baby stories & can't wait to find out the gender!

Anonymous said...

Why is it unfortunate that Jon can't preach the gospel at his business meetings? There might be people at these meetings who would like to earn a living without being recruited to someone else's faith. Would Jon like meetings where others tried to convince him to not believe?

Holly said...

Thank you Ruthie for sharing. I too needed this post today!

Brooke Hamilton said...

I love how you said that you love your job, but it's not your identity. That's exactly how I feel about mine too. I explain to people that I like my job, but it's not my life and I like it that way. It gives me more opportunities to live my life outside of work, rather than spend all my time and energy on a job that's not my identity.

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