More Than a Career: Creating Space for Your Kingdom Callingનમૂનો

I dropped my son off for daycare on a Monday morning at 6 am when he was 6-weeks old.  I couldn’t believe what was happening. As I handed another woman his car seat I could feel the lump swell up in my throat. The tears flowed down my chin onto my suit coat as I drove away, already yearning for our connection.  He is 11 now and it still pains me to think about that day. The problem was that I had no space to make another choice. Financially I needed the job and, therefore, had to go to work. Although saddened, I was grateful for it and to this day I have remained a working mom and enjoy my role in the workplace.  I have been able to impact thousands of lives and work in various roles that give me way more choice and freedom than the first job. The fruit that I see today from my past choices stem from creating space in my heart and mind for God to show me His calling and path for my life. This required obedience, even if it felt uncertain or uncomfortable, to grow into a new identity with each new role.

Far too often we let weeks, years and sometimes decades go by without evaluating whether we are living in our kingdom calling.  It can feel easier to just show up and do the job, especially when you are juggling parenting alongside building a career and living paycheck to paycheck.

One of my favorite stories of someone taking on a very overwhelming new career and stepping into a Kingdom calling is when Solomon became king. He was the child born of an adulterer and murderer, King David, so he may not have been viewed as the wanted heir to the throne from his siblings.

Yet on David’s death bed, he charged Solomon with his calling to become the King, ultimately becoming the last King of the united Israel, reigning 40 years in their most prosperous time. Before dying, David talks to Solomon about his career, saying to him, “observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” (I King 2:3)

The first thing Solomon did after receiving the job offer of a lifetime was asked for wisdom. In our moments of career uncertainty, we can follow Solomon’s lead by asking God for wisdom about where He wants us to go and what direction we should take, even if we aren’t in the role of a lifetime yet.

What is God telling you about your career? Is he calling you to something new and scary? Cry out to Him and seek his countenance on your life.