A Career Or A Calling?

Most of us either have had or now have a career. We are engaged in some area for which we see ourselves best suited to make a living. Usually, our career makes it possible for us to take care of our family obligations and provide a certain standard of living.

Many folks have careers, but do we have a calling? A calling usually involves a clear sense of fulfilling a mission God has given us to do. Our calling is to follow the leadership of God by walking in His will (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 1:7).

The secret of real fulfillment in our lives, is to have a career and a calling. Someone might say, “Well, that’s fine if you’re a preacher. But what about me?” We need to understand that God has given each of us an opportunity to make a difference in the world. In fact, God wants to change the world by using us (Acts 17:6). He wants us to see our job, our business, and our profession as an extension of His kingdom work in this world.

The sense that our career can be a calling, shouldn’t surprise us. Slaves who became Christians were counseled to be the best employees possible (Ephesians 6:5-8).

Beloved, above paycheck or promotion, let’s do something that blesses the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Let our routine tasks reflect the character and excellence heaven is building into our life. Understand that our secular work is inseparable from our spiritual work — when our faith cleanses and consecrates our workplace to God, we have found a calling larger than our career (Acts 18:1-5).

How will we change the world this week and the weeks to come? By merging our diligence with the destiny God has planned for us.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets