Scripture Reading: John 8:36, 2 Corinthians 3:17

The three considerations we’ve studied— the needs of the world, your skills and gifts, and your truest desires — are guides for discerning your calling, but they are not absolutes. For one thing, in a fallen world, you may have very little ability to choose your job.

In some cases, it may be better to find ways to participate in Christ’s work in your current job than to try to find a job you think you’ll like better. Discerning your calling includes making choices about your profession, as well as learning how to follow God’s leading in the work you find yourself doing, even if you don’t like it.

God is with you wherever you work. Whatever your job, God’s gifts enable you to work for the common good, to find more contentment in your work, and/or to overcome or endure the negative aspects of your situation. It is also possible that God’s guidance could lead you away from a detrimental work situation.

In Christ, believers have perfect freedom: That means you have the freedom to take risks, to fail, and to make mistakes. Take heart, at the end, you will not be judged on getting the right job or even fulfilling your God-given potential. You will be judged on the merits of Jesus Christ, applied to you only by God’s grace. The calling to belong to Christ is God’s only indispensable calling.

Video: Watch the short video “Why is it hard to connect spiritual value to our work?” with author Dwaine Massey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcjQfl2PGc

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the freedom I have in you. I pray that I would continue to grow in the knowledge of your grace. Help me be a witness to your goodness in every area of my life, especially work. I pray that you would bless my co-workers and everyone who is served by our work. May they experience something of you today. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

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