Reflections
EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP VOCATION VS. OCCUPATION
By Stevan Becker
'Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
You can change occupation or places of employment but you can't change vocations. In fact, all men and women share the same vocation whether they acknowledge their Creator's existence or not. Our vocation is to bring about the Kingdom of God, no matter what our occupation. But what exactly does that mean?
When asked what they found most helpful at an Effective Christian Leadership seminar, almost without exception, participants note the section where we talk about the different views of work as job, career or as part of their vocation. They appreciate the clearer understanding of how to identify whether they are living out their call or confusing their occupation with their real vocation.
A job takes a pocketbook perspective. I work to make a living. Work is a curse and focuses on how much I make so that I can do or have all the other things I want. If I can find a job that earns more I'll probably take it. Our vulnerability with that job viewpoint is that we'll under invest not giving our best effort.
A career is a personal perspective. I live to work. Work is an idol. I focus on what I can accomplish and it is very self-centered. If I can find a place were I can be "more fulfilled" that's where I will go. Here the vulnerability is to over-investing in work and sacrificing other responsibilities.
Seeing our occupation as a part of our real vocation is the kingdom perspective. Work is faithful stewardship of one area of influence and authority that has been trusted into my care. It's integrated into my life. My focus is not on acquiring or accomplishing but obeying God's will.
When asked what we do, most of us reasonably respond by saying how we earn a living. But the reality is that we all share the same vocation. This is the reason we were created. Our vocation is to be Kingdom builders. What we do for a living may change. But we are always to be establishing God's reign.
Kingdom building isn't about forcing biblical principles on our fellow workers or trying to make more money to contribute to Godly work. It isn't about making"Christian businesses." It is very much about helping each and every person we come in contact recognize and enter into the same vocation they share with us.
The problem with our society today isn't that it doesn't know that God exists. In fact, survey after survey reveals that more than eighty percent of our citizenry believe in God's existence. The problem is that we live as if he doesn't exist . Paul identifies this fundamental sin against God as impiety (read Romans 1:18-23), the refusal to acknowledge God and his rightful place in our lives. We violate God's divine rights as creator. This is the sin that drives all our self-centeredness and the resulting problems in our lives and society. (And if the truth be known, we see its evidences in our own daily lives.)
The resulting sin is killing us and our fellow workers. Destroying our lives. Creating greater problems, hurting our families, our society, alienating us from each other, filling us with bitterness and resentment, lust and avarice. Jesus wants to use us to rescue others from their sin and bring them into the fullness of their created purpose and therefore into his Kingdom. This is our vocation-to rescue the lost.
Recently, I changed occupations. The Lord made it clear to me that my vocation hadn't changed. In fact, he gave me greater insights of how I'm to be a kingdom builder at my new place of employment.
Each day, I'm to pray for the salvation of each fellow worker and their coming into the fullness of his particular purpose for them. I'm to faithfully submit my will and desires to him and serve him diligently. He wants his kindness, mercy, charity and truth to be magnified in me. And so, I must constantly lose myself that he might become greater.
Given the opportunity I must be prepared to speak the truth. To call sin exactly what it is-sin-and to do it with a compassion for my fellow worker. To never be ashamed of Jesus and my relationship with him. To counteract the sin of impiety by being a living example of piety and zeal for him that others be drawn from their sins to his redemption.
This is the coming of his Kingdom that we pray in the Lord's prayer. I must allow him to do his will on earth, just as it is in heaven, so that others may come to him, fulfill their vocation and advance the Kingdom.
Steve Becker is President and Trustee of Christians in Commerce. He is also Director of Strategic Development at Foley Sackett, a marketing and advertising agency.
Christians in Commerce is an ecumenical organization that exists to support and encourage men and women in living out their faith fully in the marketplace. Its membership is organized into guilds built around a shared or common occupation or industry. Founded in 1981, Christians in Commerce supports more than 15 chapters of 550 members. Since its inception, over 7000 people have attended their Challenge Weekend, a form of retreat. They also conduct a one-day seminar on "Effective Christian Leadership." For more information call or write: Christians In Commerce, 2101 East Broadway, Suite 27, Temple, AZ 85282. Phone: (602)929-0015. E-Mail: cicphx@aol.com
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