Purposeful Perspective

I've heard several times that 'Generation Nexters' (born in the 1980's) will change jobs every few years. Due to age of nexters, we don't really know how their mid to late career will look - only time will tell.

I've overwhelmingly heard from young people that they have no idea what they want to do as a career. This is an issue when deciding what to study in college as well as what to do post-graduation. I think the indecisive nature of today's youth directly relates with their (our) fickle career path.

How can we address this dichotomy nature of our up and coming leaders?

First off, the below is only my humble opinion. I've been out of college for 6 years and am on my 4th job. However, I do feel like I've gained a little insight on how to address this.

It all comes down to purpose. I believe our existential purpose it to glorify God. But what about our day to day career purpose? I think it can be narrowed down by focusing on two things. Talent and passion.

When deciding whether to be a doctor, banker, chef, or bum working a youth camp; it might help to look at your talents and passions.

Talents - What are you good at? What comes easy to you? Are you best at working with your hands or building relationships with people? You might have an incredibly sharp mind and can remember the color shirt you wore on the first day of 8th grade. I believe God gives us talents to equip us for our destiny, and these talents set us up better for certain vocations.

Passions - What do you love? Does sitting still for 8 hours drive you totally nuts? Might want to steer clear of banking. If you love problem solving and creating efficiencies, you might thrive working for a logistics company or a small start-up. Again, we are passionate about our passions for a reason. I don't think it's happenstance.

This doesn't mean you should be a couch potato if you really enjoy Xbox and are extremely talented at sitting on your bum. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."

I'm a firm believer if you trust in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). It's at the convergence of your passions and your talents that you will find the desire of your heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

I could be totally wrong. But who can argue with doing something you love and you're pretty dang good at? Recklessly chasing a lifestyle or status is for the birds.

Distraction

Life is full of distractions. Even when you work for a youth ministry. I find myself pouring over thoughts of what I'll do after I finish this program, where I will be in 10 years, what people think of me, what my future family will look like - The list goes on.

Then there's moments like tonight when everything is still. It's like God is whispering 'slow down and look what I have for you'. A lot of perspective is gained and I realize all of the above thoughts pale in comparison to what's really important. I've been redeemed. I'm His beloved.

David Crowder has a song titled 'Come and Listen'. I listened to that song tonight three times in repeat. The song is very simple and has only a few verses. Over and over he sings, "Come and Listen - Come and Listen to what he has done". It's a great song to listen to and reflect. Thoughts and noises become white static. It's simple.

The last verse repeats over and over. "Praise our God, for He is good."

Moses said of Benjamin before Moses died:


Deuteronomy 33:12 “The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.”


We are his beloved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n2B6T6uFIQ

Prodigal Son

Our intern coordinator asked each of us to lead a bible study. The subject was to be a character in the bible, and we were asked to create an outline for everyone to follow. Below is my outline

Father of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

- In verse 12, the younger son asks his father for his share of the estate. Basically telling the father he wished him dead. How does the father respond? How do you react/identify to this response?

 - Verse 14 tells us of the younger son working in a pigsty after he squandered his share of the family fortune. Verse 16 says the younger son is ‘longing to be fed with what the pigs ate’. Pigs were seen as unclean and filthy animals by Jewish custom. The people hearing Jesus tell this story would most likely hate the character of the younger son.

- The younger son decides to return home and beg his father for forgiveness. He has his explanation ready – probably rehearsed over and over on his journey home. Verse 20 says that while he was still a long way off the father sees the younger son and runs to embrace him. In Jewish custom it was viewed undignified for an older man to lift up his robes and run – especially to an estranged son who has squandered half of the family fortune. At this point the crowd Jesus is speaking to is grossly offended by the younger brother and father’s actions. The concept of the father’s reckless grace is often times seen as offensive even by our culture. How do you react when someone is shown this type of grace, when you may be playing the character of the older son? What about in a worldly setting? How does the father’s reaction relate to the Gospel?

 - The father decides to throw a blowout party as celebration of the younger son’s return. This party is offensive to the older son, as he feels slighted by the father’s behavior. The older son feels entitled to preferred treatment based off his loyalty to the father. What are your thoughts on the older son’s frustrations and the father’s response? Think about times when you have been younger son, and times when you have been the older son. Do you identify more with the younger or the older?