Why Do You Do What You Do?

     One of the hardest decisions we ever make in life is deciding on an occupation.  For some, it is easy because they have felt a calling to their chosen profession.  However, many struggle with knowing what they should do in life.  In addition, there is often a misconception that tells us we must do something significant or related to ministry if we are a Christian never suspecting that the ordinary job can be calling too.  It all depends on our attitude and outlook.

     To my thinking, there is no job that does not carry with it an aspect of ministry for the Christian.  We are called to be Ambassadors for Christ wherever we are and in whatever position we have.  In our family, we have several in the field of education, and they work to help others learn.  No one can convince me that this area is not full of opportunities to be salt and light for Christ.  

Our son Nathan serves as a Lexington firefighter/EMT

     Although I was trained in college to teach high school communication skills with an English minor, I found my calling was to teach our children at home.  For me, this meant putting aside many other activities in order to devote myself to working with our children.  It was not the easiest calling but it was the most fulfilling.  Certainly this job was a type of ministry to our children.

     Philippians 2:3 tells us:  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."  This should be a guiding principle as we think about the work we currently do.  The first question we need to ask ourselves is why am I working at my present job?  Is it to gain a big income?  Are we looking for prestige or power?  If so, we need to stop and consider what the verse above means.

     Throughout the New Testament, our Lord reminded us on many occasions that we are serve as He did without thinking about repayment.  A good example is found in Luke 10:25-37 in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Here the Lord clearly spoke of our duty to our fellow man to help and assist someone in need.  Many passed by the beaten man, including a priest, but no one wanted to get involved in helping him except the "despised" Samaritan.  He took time to minister to this man.  This story illustrates to believers that in whatever job we find ourselves there is always a chance to demonstrate the love of Christ to others.

     At the present time, I am working as a secretary/receptionist/insurance biller for my husband's professional office.  There is nothing glamorous about this work, but I see in it a chance to bless others with a smile, kind word and know that I am working with others as a member of a team to deliver care to them.  It is a ministry if we see it in that light.  During my years there, I have comforted people who are upset, prayed with some and had a chance to invite others to church. 

     When I was in college theater productions, our director would always remind us, "There are no small parts.  Only small actors."  The same could be said when it comes to work and jobs.  "There are no small or unimportant jobs.  Only small people who do not appreciate them."  Work is a privilege given by God.  We are not meant to use work as a means of self-gratification for our glory, but for His glory alone.  This means we need to stop grumbling, complaining and whining about things and look at it instead, as a means to touch the lives of others in actions as well as in words for Christ.  Like the Good Samaritan, we also need to look for ways to help others in need along the way rather than the "dog eat dog" mentality of the world.  We are put here to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  We can do this by seeing the work He gives us as a means for touching other lives.  Let us think this week about "why we are doing what we are doing".  Then, let us rejoice in the work God has given us and bloom where He has planted us.  Selah!

Changing Our Ways

     One of the hardest things to do is to change bad habits.  I fully admit that I have had my share of them, but after my recent heart procedure, I know that I have to change in order to remain healthy.  It was like a wake up call for me.  Eating high fat, sugar laden, gravy dipped foods is no longer an option unless I wish to shorten my days here on earth.  I need to learn a new way of eating, exercising and conducting my life in order to take better care of the body which the Lord has given to me.  I also hold no illusions that it will be easy.  Change does take time and effort.
     As I considered this new way of thinking, I was reminded of the parable which the Lord told in Matthew 22:1-14 about the "wedding feast" which the king had prepared for his son.  He had made the food ready along with elaborate preparations, and when he called the guests to come in, they all refused or had excuses.  In fact, some of the guests even mistreated the king's servants who came with the invitation to come in to the feast.  With this clear refusal, the king turned to his servants and told them to go into the highways and bring in all the people both good and bad to the feast.  Certainly every day people did not come wearing wedding garments so the king provided these as well.  However, when the hall was full, the king noticed that one person did not wear a wedding garment.  When he asked him why, the man had no reply.  Therefore, the king ordered his servants to bind him and cast him into the outer darkness.  Jesus ended the parable by stating in verse 14:  "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Gavin decided what to change about his sand creation

     This wedding feast parable is a picture of God's call to His chosen people Israel to come and celebrate His Son.  When the guests refuse to come in, God's servants call to all on the highways and byways of life.  In fact, the king in the parable must have provided everyone coming in with a wedding garment so they would be dressed appropriately.  However, one guest, not unlike many of us, wants to come to the party, but he doesn't want to change.  He refuses the wedding garment.  This is the kind of thinking that goes something like this:  "Lord make me rich, but don't make me have to share it with anyone else;  Father make me skinny, but please let me eat whatever I want to; or God keep me sober, but let me drink whatever I want to drink."  These represent the words of those who do not want to change.  They want the benefits without the commitment.
     God's call goes out to all men and women, but some will not answer that call.  This is what prompted our Lord to say that many are called but few are chosen.  As we see in the parable, the man entered the party, but not in to true fellowship.  He refused to change, and put on the garment of salvation offered to him.  The result is that he was cast out into darkness.  Even in our churches and fellowship today, there are those who refuse to wear the robe of righteousness.  They want the benefits of a life in Christ without the commitment.  This is no different than if I tell my doctor that I want good heart health, but I am unwilling to change my habits.  There is only so much repair that can be done if we continue to ignore the call to change.
     If we desire to live in the joy of the Lord, then we must be willing to heed His call and come prepared to live for Him according to His commands.  Jesus made it clear to us that "His yoke is easy and His burden is light" (Matthew 11:30).  Therefore, if He calls us today, we must be ready to respond as obedient children.  I guarantee that His robe of righteousness is more precious than the rags we wear each day.  Selah!

Getting Your Joy Back Again

 
 Having traveled the road of despair more than one time in my life, I know how it feels to lose the sense of joy that comes from walking with the Lord.  It was not that the Lord ever left me for an instant, but rather, it was the "dark night of the soul" that plagued me for a while.  Some call it depression, but I referred to it as a deep, dark pit from which I felt I might never escape.  For me, it was a combination of life altering events that all seemed to converge at one time leaving me emotionally drained.  Along with this unwelcome visitor came anxiety and panic attacks as well.  When these all came along, it was hard to carry on my normal life.  I wanted to stay in bed and pull the covers over my head, but at the time, our four children were still young, I was homeschooling and trying to care for my mother who had Alzheimer's.  I had to keep going.  However, there came a time when I realized I needed help in reclaiming the joy of the Lord.
      Certainly, the first placed I turned to was God's Word.  Psalms have always been my retreat when
I have needed solace.  There David and the other authors shared their hearts before the Lord.  Two Psalms especially come to mind that were a blessing to me Psalm 42 and 43.  Psalm 42:5-6a  asks a question that anyone struggling with their emotions might relate to:  "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God."  Later in the same Psalm, the writer asks the question again.  When we are in the midst of pain, it is not unusual to ask ourselves this question.  It is almost as if the writer is reassuring himself that life will once again shine with God's light and joy.  He points to that in the verse by saying "I shall again praise Him".
     In turning to Psalm 43, we read in verse 5 these words:  "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God."  Here the writer states a positive:  "hope in God; for I shall again praise Him..."  We may not feel like praising God when walking through the shadows of depression, but we know that in the end, God is our salvation.  For me, this became my "sacrifice of praise" to God each day as I walked along.
     Along with scripture and prayer, I also sought out some godly counsel.  I think this is important when we are facing the "dark night of the soul".  Some people think counseling is a waste of time or a sign of weakness, but I found it a blessing.  Having another Christian help you sort out and face the painful circumstances of life from the perspective of God's Word helps us see things from another point of view.  We are badly in need of this remedy when we are entombed in the darkness of depression.  The enemy of our soul wants us to remain isolated and feeling all alone.
     Finally, we may need medical treatment with medication.  I share this because many Christians hate the thought of taking any medication.  There are those who view it as weakness or a crutch.  I came from a family that thought this way.  However, God has provided doctors with the means to treat depression, anxiety and panic.  Along with counseling, medication may be necessary in order to bring things back into balance.  There is no shame in this.  The shame lies in the fact that many who could benefit from treatment often do not seek it as a result of this thinking.
     Depression is often described as anger turned inward on ourselves.  It can result in physical symptoms as well as emotional ones.  We feel powerless to change our situation or perhaps disappointed that we could not have prevented it.  However, we serve a God who has and will never leave us nor forsake us, and in order to get back to that place of deep joy we may need to exercise all of the things I have suggested.
     Life in a broken world with all the pressures, expectations, and deadlines is hard on a daily basis.  However, throw in a crisis, loss, or painful situation and we, too, can fall into the pit of despair.  Churches and fellow Christians need to be aware of this and come alongside those who suffer in this way.  There is no quick fix or overnight remedy, but the joy does return, and I can tell you that walking through it helps us to grow in our trust in the Lord.  We are then able to sympathize and assist others also facing this.  At one time, I had a sign above our computer that read:  "Joy isn't the absence of sorrow.  It is the presence of God."  He is there all the time, and along with the Psalmist we must remind ourselves to "hope in the Lord for we will again praise Him."  May you be comforted today in what I have shared and if you know someone who has suffered in this way, please feel free to share this.