Starting or Changing a Career or Job
Opening Prayer
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O God, thank you for the job before me today. May I find joy and satisfaction in its toil and difficulty, its pleasure and success, even in its failure and sorrow. May I always look away from myself, and look toward you and your goodness. Amen
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Scripture Theme
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I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19).
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Introduction
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At certain times in your life you may have carried the assumption that God calls you once, for just one purpose. Don’t miss the call, or you might spend the remainder of your days in meaningless mediocrity. In reality, it is safe to say that God calls us many times throughout the seasons of our lives, and each call challenges us to stretch further than we might have anticipated or imagined.
The call to a new job or a career change may be just what God has in mind for you. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your previous or current job or career was the wrong choice, but it might mean that you are now being called into something new. Pay attention to this inkling, this potential call, as it may allow you to further align the work that you do in the world with God’s work in the world. And that is the essence of responding to God’s call. Work should be the setting for rich personal growth, where many aspects of life enter into play: creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others, giving glory to God. . . . We were created with a vocation to work. . . . Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment (Pope Francis, Laudato Si, nos. 127-28). When work becomes a window for the worship of God and an avenue to love our neighbor, it reclaims its proper, dignified place (Matt Rusten, The Altar of Work). As you contemplate a call to change or start a new work experience, allow these questions, and others like them to percolate in your mind and heart. They likely represent the Holy Spirit moving in and through you. Pay attention even if answers are not swift and clear in coming.
It’s certainly normal to have some anxiety at this point. Take a breath. One thing is certain. As you respond to this call, you will discover an aspect of God that you have not seen or experienced before. Place your trust in God, say ‘yes’ to the call as best you can, and give it your all. |
What's Changing
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This call means change, yes? Change is seldom easy, but it can be fruitful. In his book, Managing Transitions, William Bridges writes that transitions always start with an ending. Seems odd, yes, but he maintains that the first step toward a life change is identifying what you are losing and learning how to manage the losses.
View Watch the five-minute video of Tim Suttle reflecting on Vocation: Learning to Count the Right Things. Write and/or Discuss
At this point in your life, what do you think needs to change or shift in order for your vocation to transcend your career, and in order for your career to image God in that place? Take a few moments to reflect on this question. Jot down your responses, or discuss them with your group. Reflect “Most of us will spend somewhere around 65% of our waking hours working. If work is not seen as a holy thing, if work is not counted as an essential aspect of our contribution to the mission of God, then no wonder our work isn’t fulfilling. No wonder it feels like toil” (Tim Suttle, Work as Mission: Vocation and Learning What to Count). Is your work rewarding and meaningful or an experience of exasperating discontinuity? Take Heart “Here I am, for you called me . . . Speak, Lord, for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:8, 10). |
What's Emerging in My Life
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Let’s consider what might be emerging in your life as a result of these changes. As we do so, let us remember a few things that others have discovered about God’s callings in their lives. We can say that responding to God’s call will
likely . . .
Read Let’s focus on the first bullet point: lead to happiness in the long run. Take a look at the article Here is what makes workers the happiest at every age by Valentina Sanchez. She quotes a CNBC/Survey Monkey survey showing that the majority of workers consider the “meaning” of their work to be the most significant contributor to their overall workplace happiness. From a faith perspective, we might equate “meaning” with “calling” or “vocation.” So, if you are tapped into the meaningfulness of your work, particularly for the sake of others, you are likely a) responding to a call, and b) happy. That is, perhaps, exactly God’s idea for you. Write and/or Discuss
Take Heart And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men" (Luke 5:10). |
How Should I Live?
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Now we seek to turn the corner and fully embrace the call to work. We seek to develop fruitful patterns of behavior and action that can sustain us for the long haul.
View Watch the video Lives Explored: Francois . As a new immigrant in New York City, Francois found himself in crisis, wondering what God wanted from him. Discover how a career he never expected brought him deep joy. Write and/or Discuss
Consider Here are links to helpful practices for sustaining your response to the call of work.
Take Heart Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him (John 13:5). |
