“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that
prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
We all think of it as destiny, or some with a more romantic
perception may consider it to be serendipitous.
But, have you ever considered that you are exactly where you are in life
because that is where God wants you to be?
I’ve worked in the computer technology market for over 25 years, for 4
companies. In that time frame I have
lived in Michigan, Florida, Massachusetts and now in Texas. I have turned down opportunities with other
companies in California, Colorado and North Carolina to stay on a career path
with more stability and stronger potential.
In each occurrence when head hunters (recruiters) would call there is
always that temptation to leap, to take a chance and do something different
with my life. There is the pride and
arrogance that goes along with being sought out by others which is normally
propagated by the person on the other end of the phone. They get paid dearly to make me feel as if
I’m their only candidate and they are hopeless if I don’t come aboard. It’s easy to let their sales pitch begin to
work in your mind and actually create a new dream, but how do you know if it is
from the Lord, or for your own glory?
I believe that God does steer our lives through our careers, education, relationships and yes even where we live. Paul, Peter, Luke, Mark and John made themselves available to the Lord, to travel all throughout the Mediterranean Basin to preach the Good News to all that would listen. Their education varied from the highest honors available through the universities of that time to nothing at all. They came from very diverse career backgrounds from doctor to tent maker to fisherman to writer and philosopher. They did the work that was required to put food on their tables each day, which provided them the opportunity to preach the gospel wherever their feet might have landed for the day. Today we get so wrapped up in what our career is that we forget our purpose. When we look at our mentors and the early Christians, they were wrapped up in their purpose and often times didn’t even think about careers.
God’s established a purpose for each of us, that is unique to our capabilities, knowledge, talents and passion in life. His purpose doesn’t change because we get an inkling to pick up and move or pursue new opportunities. His desire and plans for your life are established without dependence on your lifestyle and career choices. Take Saul of Tarsus (Paul) as an example. He was highly educated and had the deepest desire to become the best Pharisee known in the land of Judea. He studied the scriptures day and night, argued and challenged others to equal his knowledge and commitment to the law. God’s plan for Saul was unforeseen in his own plans for his life. There is no way that Saul had anticipated the engagement with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus that day. Yet, despite his past education, knowledge and choices, he quickly realized that God’s plans for his life were very different than his own. He chose wisely to follow God’s plan.
The route that Saul had taken in life led him to that very spot on the road that day, filled with knowledge, conviction, wisdom and passion in life. Had God been working in his life unbeknownst to him to prepare him for this step? I believe the answer is yes. I believe that God’s finger was in his creation, his childhood, his education and his passion for knowledge. Did God’s purpose include Saul persecuting Christians? Perhaps. I say this not because I believe God would want anyone to be persecuted, but it is conceivable that after his conversion Paul’s testimony would be all the more powerful having come from such a heinous background. Paul’s credibility as a scholar of the scriptures and as a truly converted Jew of Roman heritage was a strength in his testimony all throughout his teachings. Numerous times he uses his past as an example to others that God’s grace and love is for all mankind, even someone as malicious and evil as himself.
Your life up to this point has not been a series of random acts. God has been working with the choices you have made in life. If you, like me, have chosen to pursue career paths that take you to different locations, God will use all of that experience toward His purpose in your life. Look back over your life, take an inventory of the skills, talents and passions that you have accumulated and then ask God in your prayers tonight: “Lord, how can You use these skills for Your kingdom?” He can and He will. You have to be willing to let Him. Are you?
I believe that God does steer our lives through our careers, education, relationships and yes even where we live. Paul, Peter, Luke, Mark and John made themselves available to the Lord, to travel all throughout the Mediterranean Basin to preach the Good News to all that would listen. Their education varied from the highest honors available through the universities of that time to nothing at all. They came from very diverse career backgrounds from doctor to tent maker to fisherman to writer and philosopher. They did the work that was required to put food on their tables each day, which provided them the opportunity to preach the gospel wherever their feet might have landed for the day. Today we get so wrapped up in what our career is that we forget our purpose. When we look at our mentors and the early Christians, they were wrapped up in their purpose and often times didn’t even think about careers.
God’s established a purpose for each of us, that is unique to our capabilities, knowledge, talents and passion in life. His purpose doesn’t change because we get an inkling to pick up and move or pursue new opportunities. His desire and plans for your life are established without dependence on your lifestyle and career choices. Take Saul of Tarsus (Paul) as an example. He was highly educated and had the deepest desire to become the best Pharisee known in the land of Judea. He studied the scriptures day and night, argued and challenged others to equal his knowledge and commitment to the law. God’s plan for Saul was unforeseen in his own plans for his life. There is no way that Saul had anticipated the engagement with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus that day. Yet, despite his past education, knowledge and choices, he quickly realized that God’s plans for his life were very different than his own. He chose wisely to follow God’s plan.
The route that Saul had taken in life led him to that very spot on the road that day, filled with knowledge, conviction, wisdom and passion in life. Had God been working in his life unbeknownst to him to prepare him for this step? I believe the answer is yes. I believe that God’s finger was in his creation, his childhood, his education and his passion for knowledge. Did God’s purpose include Saul persecuting Christians? Perhaps. I say this not because I believe God would want anyone to be persecuted, but it is conceivable that after his conversion Paul’s testimony would be all the more powerful having come from such a heinous background. Paul’s credibility as a scholar of the scriptures and as a truly converted Jew of Roman heritage was a strength in his testimony all throughout his teachings. Numerous times he uses his past as an example to others that God’s grace and love is for all mankind, even someone as malicious and evil as himself.
Your life up to this point has not been a series of random acts. God has been working with the choices you have made in life. If you, like me, have chosen to pursue career paths that take you to different locations, God will use all of that experience toward His purpose in your life. Look back over your life, take an inventory of the skills, talents and passions that you have accumulated and then ask God in your prayers tonight: “Lord, how can You use these skills for Your kingdom?” He can and He will. You have to be willing to let Him. Are you?
Virtue and vice, the good and the evil, are all good or harmful to the society; in any place, at any time, the greatest sacrifice for the public good, is people called the most moral people.
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