Had a lovely chat last night with a great friend of mine. Just catching up and discussing how they are going. They have a good job, not one that specifically inspires them, but safe and secure and pays the bills. They have even had an offer of a promotion and some training for the next season. Sounds exciting.
So many of the discussions I have with people are about work issues. Do I stay, do I move on, my boss hates me, I'm bored......! Under the church age I used to tell them to harden up a bit and do a good job until God closes the door. Too many people run from the first bit of difficulty or challenge in their workplace. The issue is often not their work but an "attitude" God is working on! I can tell you now that the "issue" did not go away when the person moved to the next job!
So I'm chatting and my friend says they have a passion to work in a church and/but they also feel they have influence and calling in the marketplace. Now this is not a normal problem to have. Generally we feel called to full time ministry in a church OR we never even consider it and see Gods work as just visiting church on Sundays.
With an increasing Kingdom understanding I can see that the dilemma of church ministry and marketplace influence is actually a good problem to have. My friend is actually on the right journey and God is challenging them with pertinent questions about their future.
Rather than provide an immediate answer (because I don't know it anyway!) we've agreed to pray more specifically about the next step and also continue discussions about options. What is birthed as flesh produces flesh so we want Gods plan through prayer and waiting on Him.
I guess what I'm seeing a bit more of as we progress on this Kingdom journey is people starting to question their lives and jobs around biblical issues rather than worldly comfort. This is exciting! I spoke to another couple a few weeks ago who felt the call to move to Auckland and were looking for a church FIRST and then would buy a house near the church! Wow I haven't heard that sort of God focused decision making for many years.
Unfortunately it's not yet a flood but I can sense a change in the air. As people capture the Kingdom heart their priorities change.
God is challenging people to reassess their lives. Are we counting in Gods Kingdom or comfortable in our own kingdom?
I'm excited about the church when people look to Gods plans in their lives to set their direction. When its not about money but influence. When its not about comfort but calling. When its not about role but motive.
What is your future?
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