God is our CHRO at Work Sampel

Digital nomadism presents new opportunities 

The possibility of working in multiple cities or countries in one’s lifetime presents opportunities for God to use the marketplace to work in and through us. 

Abram was seventy-five when God called him to relocate (Genesis 12:1-3). It must have taken immense faith to follow God, pack up his entire life and leave the familiar to journey into the unknown. Because of his obedience, Abram prospered. He was tested. He made mistakes. But God forgave him and continued to bless him and his family. In the process, others were blessed too.

Relocating for work presents new prospects for career advancement. But in God’s blueprint are many divine reasons for relocation, not least drawing the person and his or her family to develop an authentic relationship with Him and to fulfil kingdom purposes (Acts 17:26-27). 

The COVID-19 crisis compelled industries to restructure its workforce and allow staff to work from home or from other cities, connecting digitally. Plugging into work from homes, coffee shops, or co-working spaces, many can now work from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection.

While the idea of digital nomads seems relatively ‘new’, the practice of nomadism is centuries old. Shepherds travelled across vast distances seeking new pastures for sheep. Traders too travelled distances, bringing goods from place to place. 

The Apostle Paul was a nomad. He turned his tent-making skills into a ‘mobile’ vocation and used it to co-finance his work in God’s kingdom wherever he went, while also being supported by local churches (Acts 18:2-3). Being a tentmaker meant he could travel with a few leather-working tools and set up shop anywhere. Since leatherwork was not a noisy trade, one could imagine Paul conversing with his customers while working with his hands at the same time. 

In the post COVID-19 world, more jobs could be performed remotely, giving opportunities for the Lord to move us to different cities for a season to meet the needs of local communities while still being effective marketplace contributors. Let us give this some thought, committing our plans and desires to Him (Proverbs 16:9), as God may call us to do new things differently. 

God is the orchestrator of all things and events. He is sovereign and intentional. He opens doors for people to work in companies and countries for very specific reasons. Whenever He opens a door for you, some important questions to ask are ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’. Why am I here? What does it mean for my family and me? How can I make this workplace and the city better than before I came? 

Questions for reflections: 

1. Do you find jobs in your industry are increasingly performed remotely?  

2. Do you sense the Lord possibly calling you and your family to relocate to another city or country to meet needs in the local community? 

May we live simply and ready to work in places as the Lord leads