How Do You Know When It's Time to Find a New Job Christian

Many of the states volition have winding career paths in our lives, just how are nosotros to brand the best, God-honoring decisions at those critical forks in the route?

Yesterday, my wife and I received a nice manus-written alphabetic character from her nephew, announcing some heady news regarding a change in his career path. Nosotros take been cheerleaders for this swain his entire life, which is why he took the time to write. Nosotros were elated that he shared the news of his new opportunity with us.

Equally I responded, I knew I had some practical insights that might be helpful to him at this disquisitional juncture. It seemed prudent for me to begin with the concept of seeking beginning the kingdom of God.

Jesus told his disciples,

Seek outset his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you lot too (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31).

But what does this look similar? In context, Jesus was speaking about how God meets the basic needs (i.due east., food and clothing) of his creatures, including us. How does he normally meet those needs? Through our jobs, which provide money to purchase nutrient and wear for u.s.a. and our families. I see a very clear connection betwixt seeking God first and finding the right job.

Seeking God Showtime: Practical Questions to Ask

Cornelius Plantinga, in Engaging God'southward World, shares a series of practical questions to ask yourself:

• Where in the kingdom does God want me to work?
• Where are the needs great and the workers few?
• Where are the temptations manageable?
• How honest is the piece of work I'thousand thinking of doing?
• How necessary and how healthy are the goods and services I would help provide?
• How smoothly could I combine my proposed career with being a spouse or a parent?
• Is my proposed career within a system then corrupt that, even with the best intentions, I would end up absorbing a lot more evil than I conquer?
• What would my career do for "the least of these"?

These are tough questions, but they might assist narrow down the endless possibilities we see earlier us.

Discerning God'due south Leading and Your Unique Blueprint

Ben Witherington III, in his book Piece of work: A Kingdom Perspective on Labor, encourages us that God is actively involved in this discernment process:

Nosotros practice non simply choose our vocations. We are led to them, and this implies that we must be open to hearing from God what he is calling us to do in life. Even when we have been called and gifted to do something, God does not simply leave us to our own devices. Rather, he guides u.s.a. and steers united states in our piece of work.

As nosotros seek God, nosotros can also be observing how he has uniquely designed and motivated the states.

There is a scene in the Oscar-winning moving picture Chariots of Fire in which Eric Liddell, a devout Christian and British athlete, explains his sense of God's calling to his sis Jenny, who was worried that his Olympic training would derail his calling every bit a missionary to Red china. Eric says,

I believe that God fabricated me for a purpose – for Red china. But He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. . . To win is to honour Him.

What virtually you lot? What is information technology that you do that makes you lot feel like yous are doing exactly what God has designed you to do, and past doing information technology, gives God pleasure?

Other questions to inquire yourself include: What has God specifically designed me to practise, based on interests, skills, accomplishments, and experiences? What am I most concerned and passionate about? What have others noticed in me regarding my gifts?

Your Career every bit a Spiritual Journey

Along the way, keep in listen that starting a career or finding a new chore is always a spiritual journey for a Christian. You lot must spend some fourth dimension in the Bible, pray for wisdom, and trust God to lead you. He promises that he will (Ps. 25:12, 32:viii; Prov. 16:9).

My nephew reminded me almost the importance of trusting God through a fourth dimension of transition because the end upshot is not always clear. It is not easy to go out a path that has been traveled for many years and embark on a new, uncertain path. My nephew had some new-found wisdom:

…the modify challenged me to trust God and heed to his guidance.

Ultimately, you must look at all your options and brand a sound and timely decision when a chore is offered. Accept the task that seems all-time to you as a step of faith. Proceed on listening to what God is maxim most your vocation because information technology will probable change over time.

I've had my own winding career journey from finding my first job afterwards college, to ministry building and various jobs in and with the Army for over xxx years. I understand now that my path is not so atypical.

Lee Hardy, in Fabric of This World, explains,

Career paths are rarely directly. Typically they are afflicted by detours, unmarked intersections, forced exits, blind alleys, and cul-de-sacs.

So, I encouraged my nephew to exist flexible and to e'er remember what Paul boldly declares in Romans eight:28,

…in all things God works for the proficient of those who dearest him, who accept been called according to his purpose.

Editor's Note: Larn more about God's purpose for your work in How So Should We Work? Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work.

Help empower Christians to utilize their vocation to change the world! Back up IFWE today.

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