Torch, Fall 1983

Which Work: A Stewardship Approach to Career Choice by Dr. Martin Clark "I keep asking God to guide me , but I don't feel any peace yet ." Perhaps you have heard these words, or used them yourself, to explain a struggle in making a career decision. For many people, the struggle is intense. Believing that God has a plan for their lives , they intently w<>.nt to find it. Quite naturally, then, prayer seems an appropriate discovery technique. But :as prayer becomes more intense and frequent , the decision often becomes more elusive . Why? Prayer is vitally important. In fact, it is far more important than to be cons idered merely a technique for getting things from God - even direction . A good and growing re lationship with God demands prayer, together with such elements as Bible study, active local church involvement , a submissive spirit, and a desire to glorify Him in all of life. All decisions, including career choices, grow out of and reflect the nature of our relationship with God. Sometimes, however , we employ spiritual activities inappropriately. We can use prayer to postpone proper stewardship , and we can seek peace in place of exercising trust and obedience. Our attempts to "spiritualize" the process on ly make the decision more difficult. MAKING IT DIFFICULT We can aggravate the difficulty of career choices by accepting popular myths about the process . One such myth is that no choice is really necessary . If we pray, yie ld to God, read the Bible , etc., God's plan will suddenly and mysteriously become known to us. This myth is especially appealing when we fear the risk and responsibility of committing ourselves. It also seems qu ite religious, since it focuses on godly activities, involves seeking a feeling of peace, and is unlike any logical decision process . A more careful Biblical approach recognizes that it is through the decision process that faith results in works. Refusing to make decisions, therefore, is a refusal to live by faith, resulting in living by default. Another myth is that God's plan is always contradictory to and less appealing than our own. Consequently, it is something to which we must "yield" or "surrender ." Accepting this myth produces suspicion of our interests and desires, for we assume that these have somehow escaped the redemptive and sanctifying work of God . This distrust is strange indeed in the light of the many Scriptural references to God's work in renewing the minds of those He saves. The myth that some of God 's call ings are higher than others may create additional tension . The term " highest callings," a designation of quality, is usually reserved for vocational ministry , with other occupations remaining unlabeled . Since "high callings" implies "low callings," we seriously impugn the character of God when we question the quality of some of His calls. All legitimate work glorifies God when accomplished by persons who are in right relationship with Him. Recognizing this simple fact frees us from the high/low and sacred/secular traps to pursue responsible life stewardship. These myths correctly assume that God directs His people. Numerous Scriptures testify to His personal involvement in leading us. The issue , however , is not whether God directs, but how He does it. THE BIBLE AND CAREER CHOICE God uses His Word, the Bible, to be a light to the path of our lives (Psalm 119: 105). This path includes many aspects of life beyond career choice. In fact , the phrase "God 's will " is almost neverused in Scripture in a vocational context. Rather , it points to God's will for our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and our subsequent growth in grace. Believing that the Bible should guide them, some link their career decisions to specific Scripture verses. They typically report encountering these verses unexpectedly and in a personal crisis experience. Usually , God uses His Word to direct in a far more comprehensive way . As we grow in our understanding of God through systematic Bible study , and as we apply 9