For a lot of you, you don’t know me outside of social media. To you, maybe I’m just some girl who does videos, sometimes writes her heart out, and expects God to supply the growth. But beyond the digital screen, I am such a busy person. In fact, I’m just as surprised as you are when I tell you that today is my rest day– because I am still writing for ministry.
I love being busy doing the right things. It tells me that I am not wasting my valuable time. And that I am being responsible for whatever God has given me.
Yet, like most of those fresh out of college, over the years, I had to learn Godly principles through the grind. Note that not everything people teach you is a be-all end-all. But, the Bible offers clear advices on career.
1. Money is not everything; Work with purpose
I’ve spent most of the 6 years of my career volunteering at our local church. To emphasize, this was not a paid thing. I did it out of love for God and His people. There were times when I even had to shell out from my own pocket just to see the youth’s problem resolved. Even after my volunteering journey, I’ve decided to start this blogging ministry without having it paid (at least at the onset).
I’m not advising you to be financially irresponsible (because I am not). But, I am telling you that money is not everything.
Proverbs 23:4-5 (NIV)
“4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV)
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
Money is not everything, but provision is close to it. And in the 6 years of me doing mostly volunteer, unpaid work, there were supernatural provisions in different ways. Sometimes through the love of people, but mostly through work I did not expect to have fend for me.
And the timing is so impeccable, I knew it was the realization of Matthew 6:33 right there and then. Sometimes, I would be busy with a church event and later on the day, I’d receive inquiry as per my freelancing business. Talk about timely provision, am I right?
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
God will provide. What matters most is that you work with your God-given purpose. Then, you’ll see that money wasn’t going to fulfill you all along; it’s about walking in your purpose.
2. Upskill
During my graduation ceremony, one of the speakers spoke about how learning does not stop after graduation. I agreed, but I did not know that continuous learning is a need even after graduation. The world evolves everyday and if we don’t evolve with it, we won’t be able to keep up.
The Bible offers a different lens when it comes to upskilling. Upskilling actually has a grander purpose in the light of God’s Word.
Hosea 4:6 (ESV)
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me…”
Proverbs 22:29 (ESV)
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings..”
In the eyes of God, those that shall represent Him must be skilled in order to serve Him and His people well. Better upskill while you still can.
3. Serve God first; Love people
I’m talking about priorities here. And God would not tell you to abandon your family or loved ones amid your career pursuits. Nor did He tell you to abandon Sabbath. Serving God with fear includes setting your priorities straight.
Your family is your first ministry. They should be the one primarily receiving the overflow of your relationship with God. Do not abandon the people who God has placed in your life in pursuit of your career.
Psalm 2:10-11 (ESV)
“10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)
“37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets”
I am now 26 years old. I graduated when I was 20. Am I where I want to be? Not yet. In my career, not yet. But, I am content. I have a better grasp in direction now than I did 6 years ago.
Glory to God in the highest– for being my constant, surest north star!
I have a long way to go. And hopefully, as the years progress, I’d get to tag you along for the ride.
For today, I’m just really hoping to get the best out of my rest day– that with the thousand of things I have to do everyday, I’d still keep in mind that it is already finished (John 19:30).
–that He works as hard as me, and even harder. And that I can rest in His love anytime.