Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/83

Contributor - Tom Welscott

Title - "Will I Have A Job Tomorrow?"

Topic - Vocations

There was a time when a guidance counsellor called you into his office and asked, "What kind of a career would you like to pursue?". Upon successful completion of college or vocational school, you could present your skills to the working world, and be assured of getting a job. Due to the current economic times, things are different today. Graduates are asking, "Will I have a job tomorrow?". Many people who have been working for years have the same fear and uncertainty about the future. To complicate the situation, many people with work find themselves in jobs that are unfulfilling and taking them nowhere. From all sides they are told that they should be thankful to have a job and so they reluctantly put in their forty hours, week after week, wondering.

As Christians, we believe that God has something to say about every area of our lives. What direction can we find as we struggle with the issue of vocation from a Christian perspective? God has a purpose for us in terms of a vocation. He desires all of us to seek His direction as we plan our future.

There are times in our lives when we are more likely to take a serious look at the feelings surrounding our work life. The first is upon graduation from an institution of learning. After many long years of study we carefully analyze what kind of job will give us the most fulfillment, satisfaction and challenge. A similar analysis occurs each time we consider a promotion or different offer. How do we know God's plan for our life?

Secondly, being unemployed causes us to reflect on the meaning of work. After recovering from the initial shock and depression, we have to take account of our life and make plans to go on. Being without work gives a person an abundance of time to think and reflect. The opportunity is there to try different types of work, and to do some serious self-evaluation. Unemployment allows our thoughts and emotions to evaluate the decisions that were made upon graduation. In many cases, if we have a family to support, the situation is very critical. Then all sorts of strains and pressures are added to the problem. Unemployment for the single person also has a demoralizing affect, as his self-esteem is being chipped away. What is God's purpose in putting us through all this?

A third time of much reflection is when we are dissatisfied with our work. 'We realize a high percentage of the population is unemployed and ask, "Is it right to be fussy about what kind of job we have?",. God may have a purpose for you in that job that you don't see. Maybe your serious questioning will help you bring meaning into the job. Perhaps, God will present another opportunity in your path that will be much better for you We can ask again, "What is God's purpose for putting me through this?"

God's Purpose

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, 0 Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands." - Ps. 138:7, 8

We are not always in the state of' mind where we can see God's purpose for our life. The Psalmist had clearly imbedded in his mind the fact that no matter what happened, God had a purpose for him. Many times we don't apply this to our 'secular' jobs. We save the thoughts of and talk about God's purpose for our lives for Sunday and spiritual matters. God's purpose and plan touches every area of our lives. It touches every vocation; whether that be a plumber or housewife; computer technician or banker; mother or secretary; carpenter or preacher. It doesn't matter to God.

The most difficult time to see God's purpose for our lives is when we are in "the midst of trouble". The Psalmist was in that situation in Psalm 138. The most difficult time is the waiting. Waiting to hear about a job, or waiting to find out whether you've been accepted to a certain college. This time of waiting seems to us as a time of trouble, but has the answer waiting for us at the other end. Some day the cloud of uncertainty will lift, and we will see into the future clearly.

If you have lived in a city near or at the foothills of some mountains, you will identify with this illustration. A few years ago I was in the Los Angeles area for a seminar. When we arrived the smog was heavy. You could see around the city, but no further. Then a couple of days later the smog cleared, and for the first time I realized that Los Angeles was at the foothills of a mountain range. The mountains were there all the time, even though I couldn't see them. In our lives too, the cloud will lift some day and vou will see clearly into the future. You then will know the purpose God has for you. Until we can see the mountains, we need to believe His promise that He has a purpose for us.

But Why All the Uncertainty?

We will never know why most of the things happen in our lives. However, we can know that God is using each and every one to shape us into the kind of person He wants us to be. When, in the midst of that cloud of uncertainty, we often feel forsaken by God, then we have to turn back again to our passage from Psalm 138. Each and every one of us is the work of God's hands, and He will never forsake something He is shaping.

Have you ever watched a potter work on a potter's wheel? As the wheel spins, he places a big glob of clay right in the middle of the wheel. Then with his hands he begins shaping it. The image of what he wants that clay to be is in his mind. He will work that clay over and over until it is shaped just the way he wants it to be. You may also note that the final touches often take longer than getting it to it original shape.

The way the potter works to shape the clay is identical to the way God works to shape our lives. Our lives are the clay, and God is the potter. God is shaping us into the kind of vessel He wants us to be through different situation and circumstances. Sometimes God needs to use extended periods of difficulty to put the finishing touches on parts of our character. We never like going through those difficult times, but when we look back, we can see how we have grown through them. Many of the struggles we go through in our search for the right vocation are like that.

Keep Trusting!

As we ask the question, "Will I have a job tomorrow?", we need to keep in mind that God has a purpose for each of us and He has no intention of forsaking the work of His hands. As we go through these difficulties keep in close touch with your Maker and Molder. Don't let your personal daily time with Him slip, even though you may be discouraged. Believe that the cloud will lift, even when you don't see any signs of it. Let Proverbs 3:5 - 6 be your guideline:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not onto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.