Stuck in Your Job? …What About God’s Plan?预览

So what does God Want?

Last time, we put things in perspective. That life is about obedience to God, and doing good works to help others.

Meditating on that last reading, you find that life is about bringing glory to God. And that life is not just all about you.

That’s a tough lesson, especially in today’s western culture with its focus on personal success, defined by job function or wealth accumulated. Such thinking even pervades Christian circles, where promotions or financial advancements are often seen as a gift from God – as if God’s pleasure centers on such things!!

Again, let’s turn to the Bible for a reset – this time from the Apostle Paul, who says it most clearly of all:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2a

Paul is saying exactly what we need to hear: that the world’s opinion of our job, our wealth, our “success” – the pattern of this world – is not at all what we should follow. Rather, we need to focus on glorifying God and following his will for our lives.

Following God’s will and seeking to glorify Him instead of focusing on yourself is not at all easy.It’s just like Jesus said it would be – many people following the easy path, and few finding the road to life:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13-14

The obvious question that now comes to mind is the following:

How do you find God’s will for your life?

A good place to start is the 2nd half of Romans 12:2:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2b

Once you shift your focus away from the pattern of this world – its teachings, its marketing, its culture – then you will start to see more clearly what God’s will is for your life.

Even though the “pattern of this world” affects each of us differently, the goal is the same – to draw you away from God, away from His purposes and even away from your salvation, if that were possible. Until the return of Jesus as King, the devil is behind it all, trying to move us away from God:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

Therefore, a good starting point to finding God’s will for your life is to check the impact of the “pattern of this world” on your own life – where you spend your time, who are the influencers in your life, and what effort do you put in to draw closer to God. Careful reflection on that may dictate some change in order to even get started on finding God’s will for your job situation.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, may you be glorified. I need your help in sorting through my situation. I want to bring glory to you, and help build your Kingdom. Help me shift my focus, find my footing and move towards your plan for my life – whether that means changing my job or my attitude. I love you and long for your blessing in all that I do, wherever I am. Amen.

Now find out how God can use you right where you are...

As a next step, check out other reading plans or get the book “How to be a Christian at Work” –click here to get for more information