I didn't become
I was talking with Jordan the other night and we were comparing notes on the dissatisfactions of spiritual life, love, and work. He was explaining to me how frustrating it can be to be in a position that is so unfulfilling at work. He talked about how there is so much more to life that is just missing when you get all caught up in the day-to-day grind of commuting and computing. We were comparing and contrasting these feelings with the the dry spells and mountain top experiences of the Christian life. His enjoyment of pure physical labor was alluded to and he said something like this..."My dad wouldn't let me take over the business [a landscaping something or other] because he [dad] said that I [Jordan] didn't got to college to mow lawns. Likewise, I didn't become a Christian to be an engineer."
There is a higher calling. More to live for. There is more out there than what I have. Jordan's dad didn't want him to mow lawns and "waste" a perfectly good education/career, because an education is valuable (or so they tell us). And a nine to five carrier is what is expected of you if you are capable. Which most of us are. Most of us are capable of living in relative luxury, this being America and all. And I am just wondering if it is worth it. Is it really a waste to work at something that you prefer in order to make time for that which you long to do? Rather than simply working in "your field" or at the highest paying site available. There is more at stake here than money. There is more to it than time. Although I am learning the value of both right now.
There is something bigger. Something to strive for. To die for. To live for. Something to spend your whole life becoming. Jordan compared the "wasted" education senario to the theory that his Christianity would be wasted if he remained an engineer. While being an engineer is great, there is more to life than an occupation. And if your occupation interferes with your ability to become that which you are intended to be than who cares how good you are at it or how much money you made? We are all given twenty four hours a day and seven days a week. We are accountable for the time and talents that we are given. We are responsible.
There are certain things that each of us need to accomplish. Some of us need to do big things, others of us need to be humbled. God uses the people with the most unlikely of gifts to perform the greatest of feats. In our weakness God is stronger. What then is the flip side? That in our strengths we are humbled. Step out of the comfort zone and into a place were you can be broken and molded. God made a shepherd boy king of Israel and he sent kings to graze among the fields like cattle.
But look at your strengths then look at your weaknesses how very similar are the two lists when compared. Are they not indeed so often the same list? More on this to come...I am off to go cornfesting.
posted by Trisha @ 3:35 PM
