ShelfLife

Let’s face it, we’re men. It comes naturally to us to compartmentalize everything… Be honest, how many times has your wife said to put down the paper and “talk to her” even though you know that you can read and “talk” at the same time? But we do this…we compartmentalize family and other relationships, work and fun, food and exercise (for me especially lately), and feelings and truth, to name a few. While sometimes this can be a useful trait, it can also be very dangerous when we do this in our spiritual lives – when we separate Sunday from the rest of the week – and particularly when we view our jobs simply as a means to earn a living and nothing more.

In Chapter 9, J.P. Moreland continues the theme that begins in Chapter 1 of cautioning us to stop segregating our faith (the “sacred”) and our everyday lives (the “secular”) (p. 174). Specifically, he exhorts us to integrate our Christian worldview with our vocation. Early in the book, Moreland says “If I am a plumber, clerk, bank manager, homemaker, elected official, senior citizen, or migrant worker, I am in “full time” Christian service no less than someone who earns his or her living in a specifically religious role” (p. 12). Let that soak in for a minute….Christian service is not left to the paid church staff “professionals,” but is a calling to all who claim to be Christ-followers and in whatever profession you are engaged in. If you haven’t thought about all the ways that your particular job intersects with the eternal priorities of God, I would encourage you to burn some quiet time and do just that.

Several years ago, I began to question the significance of what I was doing professionally. I was practicing law at the time and felt like I had some great opportunities to speak into folks’ lives at the point where they were most troubled (if you’ve ever been involved in litigation, you know that it’s emotionally, financially, and spiritually difficult). And while there were some great opportunities to share with my clients, overall, I began to wrestle with whether I was still on the sidelines or actually in the game in terms of advancing God’s kingdom on earth. I was successful – but was it success at “meaningless” things? How would someone sum up my life after my death? Most importantly, what would I say to God about how I had stewarded not just my time and money, but my vocation as well?

Scripture teaches that life is a “vapor.” So, how was I doing at the things that God clearly called me to be concerned about – sharing the gospel, loving others, serving the poor, actually seeking out those in need (outside of my safe circles of friends, family, and colleagues). You do not need to “meditate” over the meaning of passages like Isaiah 58, Micah 6:8, James 1:27, Matthew 25:31-46, and Luke 10:25-37. They are clear enough for my 7 year old to understand and apply. Why then are we not doing better in this area?

Please don’t hear me say that the conclusion you should reach is to leave your profession and go into paid ministry. While allowing for the fact that might be exactly what God is asking of you, the world really needs devoted Christian plumbers, bankers, business folks, architects, construction workers, computer techs and teachers – who are living out scriptural principles in all aspects of their work. We need to be engaging our culture, wherever we are. And, God may very well haveplaced you right where you are for maximum kingdom impact. So, explore that…and be very sensitive to the Spirit’sleading. And, be sure that your heart is in a place to obey whatever the Lord might lead you to do. Make sure everything is “on the table”. Otherwise, save yourself the effort. There are some great books and resources out there to help you generally (i.e. “Don’t Waste Your Life” by Piper, “Crazy Love” by Chan, “Holy Discontent” by Ortberg, “The Purpose Driven Life” by Warren, “The Hole in our Gospel” by Stearns, etc). Then there are vocation-specific resources (i.e. for me it was “A Lawyer’s Calling”). Moreland also suggests gathering in groups centered on vocations. I think this is a great idea. Also check out these Internet resources: http://www.christianitytoday.com/workplace/features/living.html

So, if you haven’t already, take a cue from Moreland and spend some time thinking and praying about your profession particularly and ways that your faith should inform the various aspects of your work and then also consider how to use your particular professional strengths to directly advance the kingdom in even more impactful ways.

~Jeff Ward