Nov 1, 2007

Career or Calling? Which are You Living For?

John Ortberg, in his book If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, writes:

A career is something I choose for myself; a calling is something I receive.

A career is something I do for myself; a calling is something I do for God.

A career promises status, money, or power; a calling generally promises difficulties and even some suffering - and the opportunity to be used by God.

A career is about upward mobility; a calling generally leads to downward mobility.

A career may end with retirement and lots of "toys."

A calling isn't over until the day you die.

The rewards of a career may be quite visible, but they are temporary.

The significance of a calling lasts for eternity.

(Ortberg, "Get Out of the Boat", p. 71-72).

If you are fortunate enough to retire from your career, and if the career was what you lived for, you will have wasted the precious gift of life. Your life is so much more than what you did to earn a paycheck. There is so much more to life and eternity than your career.

Pursue your calling regardless of what you might be doing to earn a paycheck. Your company, your boss, your career doesn't give rip about you or your eternity. The only thing your company and career is interested in is how much you can bring in for the company. That's not even close to being worthy of your best years, best efforts, and your life. Give your life to something that actually matters.

You are a child of God. You have a calling upon your life. God placed you here for a reason. Claim your destiny.

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