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ALOVE
asks the tough question: Does God have just
one path ordained for us to take or are our
options more open than that?
It comes to us all, well most people (lecturers
not included). The study finishes; the essays
and exams cease giving way to an altogether
different and surreal experience.
Different, because rather than paying an educational
establishment to rake you over hot coals and
grill you on the hard work that you have done,
you enter the job market and for your hard
toil an employer pays you for the privilege
of your expertise. Surreal, because you begin
to search out what direction you want your
life to take. Do you already know where you
want to go or are you still groping around
the bucket in the lucky dip?
So how do we begin to think about this stuff?
What does God have for our lives? Is there
only one direction that we should take and
is there only one vocation for us? There are
different perspectives when thinking about
direction and jobs. Here are a few thoughts… |
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One thing’s for sure –
in the ‘Western world’ it’s
pretty obvious that the days of a ‘job
for life’ are gone. The times
have changed, jobs are more fluid and
skills are more easily transferred.
For some people, the contemporary age
presents all sorts of choices and opportunities
for different vocations. Yet for some,
the choices are overwhelming; or maybe
even seem inaccessible. Whatever our
situation, it’s important to think
about how we can live for God wherever
we are, whatever we’re doing.
Whether choices abound or choices seem
few, God wants to do something extraordinary
through you. Don’t be afraid to
dream, and don’t disqualify yourself
from the amazing stuff he wants to do
in and through you! |
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In considering vocation, some people
seem to have a real clear sense of what
they think God’s leading them
to; but for others, they may have as
much clarity as a foggy day. Whatever
the situation, don’t worry. It’s
a life long journey that changes on
the way! A helpful place to start in
thinking it all through might be to
consider what you’re passionate
about? What are your interests? What
do you enjoy doing? What environments
do you like to be in? Chat to your friends,
parents, colleagues, teachers and other
people who know you. Share ideas and
thoughts with them. There might be some
interesting themes and insights that
come out, through which God can also
speak… |
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Don’t be too caught up in trying
to find ‘one big thing’
or your ‘life’s calling’.
Perhaps there is more than one area
where your skills and talents fit and
that God can place you? In many respects,
that can only be answered for each person
with hindsight, but we find repeatedly
that God uses and places people in situations
where they can be most effective. This
can mean that your vocation can change
and new horizons can come into view. |
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With Christ, our approach to the world
is one of a radical perspective shift
from those around us. We are to be,
‘transformed by the renewing of
our minds’ (Romans 12:2); have
been made new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and
are gifted by the Holy Spirit (Corinthians
12:4-7). Our attitude to what we do
in life must be a dynamic one and this
often means change. |
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God has chosen us, so that the life
we live is a vocation to him. Because
of this, the field is wide open and
the possibilities in the heavenly kingdom
are awesome. Pray for passion and a
renewed heart (Psalms 20:8), he has
you, ‘engraved on the palms of
my hands’ (Isaiah 49:16) so that
you can be sure of his guidance and
love. Test the things presented to you,
try them out, find your vocation, and
be prepared for change. |
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| For a prayer
and meditation on vocation click
here |
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Consider
...
Moses
- Exodus 3:1-22
Gideon
- Judges 6; 7
Peter
Acts 2:14-41
Acts 10; 11 |
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Read
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For ministry in the workplace,
Thank God it’s Monday by Mark Greene
ISBN 1 85999 208 0 |
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Youthwork -
The Partnership ...
ALOVE,
Youthwork Magazine, Youth For Christ, Spring Harvest and
Oasis are working together to equip and resource the Church
for effective youth work and ministry. |
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