Walking With Jesus (Wisdom)Sample

Career or Family?

Once, John Grisham, a famous novelist, was asked by someone, "If the schedules were the same, which one would you attend: your latest book signing or your child's baseball game?" John replied, "I will watch my son's baseball game.” He organized all his activities related to books for the opportunity to accompany his children because according to him, children help him to stay grounded. Attention to his wife and children is the fruit of family education. John was raised in a conservative Southern Baptist family where parents were always there for the family. It has become a lifestyle for him.

Family and career are often a tough struggle. The efforts to establish a balance between the two are a difficult thing to do. It may even be impossible for one person to please two bosses continuously at the same time. At any given time, there must be one who is neglected or lost. Unfortunately, many people choose to abandon their families because of the considerations to provide for the family's needs. This causes them to have no other choice other than to abandon their families, even if they don't mean to do that. That's how the argument goes.

It is difficult to balance the two because the real issue is not balancing, but a priority. The balance is just an excuse we make to create justice between those two things. That priority relates to the question: What is the most valuable in your life? Your relationship or achievement? Your success or significance? The answers to these questions can be used as a guide in setting our priorities in life. Let's not sacrifice something valuable for something less valuable. With God's wisdom, we can determine it. With the right priorities, we can reap success without sacrificing something as precious as family.

Reflection:

1. Which is your life’s priority between career and family?

2. How does the setting of priorities determine your attitude in decision-making?

Application: 

Set the right priorities based on God's word with the leading of the Holy Spirit.