Run like Joseph! That was the retort from my young adult daughter during a conversation with a youth group. They were discussing the temptations that exist in our society. Her retort was based on Joseph’s actions when confronted by Bathsheba’s seduction.
Pray Like David
Personally when life starts with its craziness, discouragement, sadness, tragedies and more, my retort is to “Pray like David”. In making decisions I found that David consistently consulted with the Lord before he acted. He never did anything without first asking the Lord. He beseeched the Lord for his guidance on whether he should pursue his enemy, make certain moves, fight or flight.
David then listened for the Lord’s leading and as he obeyed, he consistently enjoyed the fruits of success. Today I encourage you that whatever situation you’re in, be it decision-making, entrepreneurship venture, relationship, financial or mental hardship, take it to the Lord in prayer. Then wait patiently as you listen for his answer. As you obey his guidance and direction, be sure that you will enjoy success.
Be encouraged, the Lord may be long but he’s never late. So pray like David did.
It was Friday. Sad day….or so we thought. Our performance moved the congregants as we re-enacted the soldiers mocking nuances. Such humiliation none should ever experience.
Sunday
But then came Sunday. The discovery of an empty tomb. It was that sure Safe Place for many. Delights, glee, joy and praise rang out as the congregants worshipped aloud.
Yes Friday was sad. But together we rejoice as Sunday the promise shone brightly.
My Safe Place is the new release that provides short stories, exhortations and prayers for difficult journeys. Snatch your copy and experience his Grace.
A career is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. For example, a child who goes into the family lineage of what they do…lawyer becomes lawyer, doctor becomes doctor, business owner hands down business to the child/children.
A vocation is a divine call to the religious life. Or a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. For example, a physician who feels led to heal.
Advice
What advice would you give to someone who see themselves as having a vocation so that the work they do is part of who they are?
Sometimes a vocation and a career can be intertwined. Diving deeper, a careerist can remain in the same career for many years but enjoy the work in different settings, environments, or companies. So too can a person who has a calling and becomes committed to a vocation. The main difference can be gleaned as one who does a job as a means of survival in exchange for a salary to cover basic needs, wants and desires. This compared to other who will do it even when not being compensated. It’s a commitment to their very existence
Identity Issues that Arise
First, we will look at the definition. A career identity is a structure of meanings in which the individual links his own motivation, interests, and competencies with acceptable career roles.
Against that definition many individuals cannot see themselves as anything but their career. It’s more like a clutch. Executives and senior managers flaunt their titles so others can know who they are. It’s what they identify with. Individuals with lower-level jobs also identify with it and are often ashamed to share that they collect the garbage, for example. Yet turning that around, garbage collection can also be a calling. Just imagine where we would be if the rubbish in our cities were not collected.
A more direct and personal example relates to myself and what I shared about in the interview. I ate, slept, and dreamt about my job. It was more like a duty. There was no difference between me at work and me at home (when I was there). I gave it up when I had my little girl who was basically being raised by a nanny 4-5 years after she was born. As I reflected, I felt the tug of my calling to leave pharmaceuticals and go into direct healthcare where I could impact suffering patients because of my administrative strength intertwined in caring for others. I enabled physicians to work without having to bother about plans for recertification or regulatory compliance needs. This was something I believe was laid on my heart as a Christian. Today, as an author, I am led to make a difference through my experiences which have had the ability to impact individuals not only in my local community but also worldwide especially through my book Ditch It. Switch It and GreenLight: When God Says Go
My commitment to the Lord has helped others achieve his will purpose for them. I do that as a coach, a writer, author, organizational leadership specialist.
Another example relates to my pastor who passed away recently. At his funeral he was seen as a father, grandfather, friend, confidante, mentor and a student. This shows that we can wear many hats. It just depends on how we interface in our different roles as well as how we see ourselves. I believe one of the biggest challenges we face is accepting ourselves for who we are and who we are being led to be. We do not remain static in our roles.
How To Deal With Identity Issues?
Secondly, lets take a closer look at how we deal with the identity issue. Most important, do some introspection. Ask yourself these questions which were discussed in the interview.
How do you think about your job outside the office?
2. How do you describe yourself? How much of this description is tied to your job, title, or company?
3.How would you feel if you could no longer continue in your profession?
Asking yourself these questions (especially #3) will open the avenue to manage these identity issues.
In closing alleviate the identity issue with taking regular breaks (i.e. vacation). Stress is a significant factor that will hinder even the best of us.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do share. We would love to hear.
Fear gripped me. A 2-hour journey turned into three as clouds stormed. The foggy skies were comfortless. Visibility was almost naught as the storm pounded. Headlights shone brightly as my hands held the car firm. My commute slowed as my heart panicked. I began to Pray. Then prayed louder with a shout and asked “what’s happening Lord?” Suddenly the rain slowed. Though it didn’t stop, I began to see. Alone, I praised as never before. Highway praise!
The Fog
Experiencing a season of storm in your life? Hold firmly onto our heavenly father. Pray without ceasing. When you cannot see what lies ahead, trust him. He will work things out for your good.
Jesus says to us, “Place who you are and what you have in My hands. Your broken life. Your story. Your frailty and your failure, your pain and your suffering. Put it in My hands. You’ll be surprised what I can do with it.” Jesus knows that out of our emptiness, He can bring fullness. Out of our weakness, He can reveal His strength.
Dear Jesus, take my “not enough” and make it “more than enough.” Take my pain, my failure, and my frailty, and make it something more.
Except from our daily bread. May you be encouraged.
Your body is his temple. Treat it right. Exercise. Eat right. Think pure thoughts. Breathe Inhale positivity. Exhale negativity. Read the word. Let it sink in.
What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.
I overheard a discussion between two ladies in the salon as they were listening to the song ‘bless the lord oh my soul… oh my soul, I worship his holy name…‘
It was being sung by a little child … hence the reflection on ‘gifts’. Anyway, it caused me to think about the gifts God provides to us. One lady said all I do is talk, gab a lot. I thought quietly… that in itself is in fact a gift. She can use that to become a speaker even in small group. She can use her gift of ‘gab’ to write a book, sharing her thoughts with others provided she will be positive. Personally I believe there is enough negativity in the world.
Discover Your Gift
There are many assessments available in the marketplace to help you find your gifts. Here are a few spiritual gifts for you to take a peek at:
Leadership
Encouragement
More popular envied
Singing
Acting
Administration
Wisdom
Faith
Encouragement
Mercy
Intercession
Discernment
Shepherding
Teaching
Hopsitality
Evangelism
Helping
Giving
Many quietly wish for the gift of singing, dancing, entertaining because those gifts are quite popular and can readily be seen. However, do you know that the more popular spiritual gifts often need support? Let’s take for example singing. Singers sing but often benefit from the gifts of songwriters. Movie-stars act but also need a script. And many others.
Be comforted to know that we need each other to soar. That’s how the Lord wanted it. Now go, find your gift.
Sitting next to me in church, 10 year old RJ whispered (bible in hand)… “nobody brings their Bible to church anymore”. Then he told me to look around. He was right. I did not even have my Bible in hand as Pastor Darryl read the displayed verses on the screen. Mine was in my bag. RJ proceeded to draw the cartoon comic discussion.
No excuses but the Tech era we are living in, most of us use the #bibleapp as our bible reading resource. Convenience at its core, It’s easy to carry around because we always have it on our phones. It’s also easy to share a verse or two to encourage others who cross our mind while reading.
But at times if there’s no WiFi we can experience connection issues if we didn’t download the App.
The risk though… we may end up scrolling to alerts that pop up… Unless we are very disciplined to avoid distractions. Nevertheless I love the convenience of the App.
But yep! I agree with RJ. Very few actually carry the Bible anymore. But let’s not be quick to judge as we rejoice in the convenience it brings while at work, on the move anytime, anyplace.
Join me in this simple challenge to take the physical book with us to church. Even more-so, let’s read our bible and pray everyday.
Blessings overflow to you as you listen while he speaks through the word. It ignites.
GREENLiGHT 