PERSPECTIVE on jobs

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

King James Version

9 Two are better than one; 

because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: 

but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; 

for he hath not another to help him up.

What is the job you do?

How important is your job?

What is its purpose in this world?

Are you happy with it?

Do you find a need for it?

Or could you be doing something better?

Consider the following conversation.

Cop talking to a lawyer:

Deputy Chief John P. Hildebrand: 

"How can we do a good job and keep everybody happy?

Woodrow Wilson King: 

"If everybody were happy you wouldn't have a job."

-- Pendulum I American Crime Thriller Film 1969

So, that's what a cop's job is.

To keep people safe, and happy.

He exists to keep law, and order.

Take away crime, and chaos, and he'd be out of a job.

Of course, ideally there'd be peace and safety.

But that would mean we wouldn't need cops.

In this world, we do.

A hairdresser exists because of "bad-hair" days.

A lawyer exists to keep you out of legal trouble.

A doctor exists to keep people healthy.

A nurse exists to assist the doctor, and patient.

A CEO exists to keep the company running.

A professor exists to teach his students.

A minister exists to guard people's spiritual welfare.

A president exists to head his nation to peace, productivity, and prosperity.

A government exists to govern us all.

A restaurant exists for celebrations, and fine dining.

A hotel exists to provide accommodation when you're away from home.

A prison exists to keep criminals locked up.

On, and on, the list goes.

People work for a purpose.

To know the value of your job, address it simply:

What is it you do?

What is its value?

Does it give happiness to people?

Does it make them feel safe?

Does it protect them?

Are you proud of the job you do?

Are you paid fairly?

Is it something you're cut out for?

Is your job useful, or redundant?

Does it terrorize people?

Most want to do work that honors us, and others.

GOD gave all of us talents which we need to use.

Not to do so is detriment to our spirit.

Here's JESUS' parable on "talents":

Matthew 25:14-30

King James Version

14 For the kingdom of heaven 

is as a man travelling into a far country, 

who called his own servants, 

and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents*, 

to another two, 

and to another one; 

to every man according to his several ability; 

and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents 

went and traded with the same, 

and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, 

he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one 

went and digged in the earth, 

and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time 

the lord of those servants cometh, 

and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents 

came and brought other five talents, saying, 

Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: 

behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, 

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: 

thou hast been faithful over a few things, 

I will make thee ruler over many things: 

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents 

came and said, 

Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: 

behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, 

Well done, good and faithful servant; 

thou hast been faithful over a few things, 

I will make thee ruler over many things: 

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent 

came and said, 

Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, 

reaping where thou hast not sown, 

and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, 

and went and hid thy talent in the earth: 

lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, 

Thou wicked and slothful servant, 

thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, 

and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore 

to have put my money to the exchangers, 

and then at my coming I should have received 

mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, 

and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, 

and he shall have abundance: 

but from him that hath not 

shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant 

into outer darkness: 

there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

*NOTE: "a talent was worth about 6,000 denarii, or twenty years’ wages for a laborer"

-- Expanded Bible version

Whether we are given talent, in form, or cash, it must serve GOD first.

For a born again, work means "service".

We follow JESUS' commands, which are in Scripture.

The LORD teaches us how to serve others well.

In all usefulness, and humility.

In accordance to GOD's will.

It's always serving GOD, above all.

Galatians 1:10

King James Version

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? 

or do I seek to please men? 

for if I yet pleased men, 

I should not be the servant of Christ.

Related material:

PARABLES of JESUS

CALLED for what?

 

Isaiah 6:8

King James Version

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? 

Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Did GOD call you?

Or, did you volunteer?

Perhaps, it was both?

That got me thinking.

So, I look back into my own life.

For, what other life is there to look into?

In the same manner, you need to look into your own life.

That we may all make sense of things.

Work-wise, and destiny-wise.

Surely, you keep asking:

"What is my role in life?"

"What am I cut out for?"

"What work was I meant to do?"

"What can I live on?"

"How shall I survive?"

"What is my purpose?"

And as I ask that last question, my mind gets tickled.

Knowing that will be for another article.

For now, we ask the following:

Are you like Paul?

Called to be an "apostle of Jesus Christ"?

1 Corinthians 1:1

King James Version

1 Paul 

called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ 

through the will of God, 

and Sosthenes our brother,

Or are you "called to be saints"?

1 Corinthians 1:2

King James Version

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 

to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 

called to be saints, 

with all that in every place 

call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 

both their's and our's:

There's always an "invitation", you know.

JESUS invites us all the time.

Revelation 3:20

King James Version

20 Behold, 

I stand at the door, and knock: 

if any man hear my voice, and open the door, 

I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 

and he with me.

Can you hear the LORD?

Or is the world too noisy?

Are there too many distractions?

Is that why you go up into the mountains?

Is that why you stay away from others, for a while?

That you may hear self?

That you may experience some peace?

That you may review your life?

That you may unclutter your thinking?

That you may know your purpose?

When you start feeling that way, GOD waits.

He waits for you to really call upon Him.

For help, for clarity, for love, for joy, for peace.

Only GOD can give you ALL that.

We usually call GOD when we're at our lowest low.

The perfect springboard for change.

GOD wants your TOTAL surrender.

What you didn't know is that He called you first.

You were predestined for something.

BEFORE you were even born.

John 15:16

King James Version

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask 

of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

2 Timothy 2:19-21

King James Version

19 Nevertheless 

the foundation of God standeth sure, 

having this seal, 

The Lord knoweth them that are his. 

And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ 

depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house 

there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, 

but also of wood and of earth; 

and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, 

he shall be a vessel unto honour, 

sanctified, 

and meet for the master's use, 

and prepared unto every good work.

1 John 4:19

King James Version

19 We love him, 

because he first loved us.

GOD created you for a purpose.

Your duty is to find out what that is.

Even as king Solomon stated our duty clearly:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

King James Version

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 

Fear God, and keep his commandments: 

for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, 

with every secret thing, 

whether it be good, 

or whether it be evil.

But, unless GOD makes you born again, you won't believe that.

Much less know where to start.

A born again receives the SPIRIT of GOD.

We need His SPIRIT to teach us about JESUS.

We need His SPIRIT to help us understand Scripture.

We need His SPIRIT to teach us about these last days.

All the rumblings in your heart, all that discontent in your soul, are the seeds of change.

You're ready for change.

Maybe even a new life.

Something worthwhile.

Something purposeful.

Something you can live with.

Something worthy of the LORD.

You see, it must always be for His purpose.

Everything was meant for His GLORY.

It was never about us.

It has always been about using the gifts He gave us.

Specifically, the FRUIT of the SPIRIT.

For His perfect purpose.

Appreciate the rumblings of your heart.

Or the discontent in your soul.

Even the rage, and fury you have.

You cannot break GOD.

But He can break you.

And put new spirit in you:

Ezekiel 36:26-27

King James Version

26 A new heart also will I give you, 

and a new spirit will I put within you: 

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, 

and cause you to walk in my statutes, 

and ye shall keep my judgments, 

and do them.

Consider this an exciting journey.

At knowing GOD, and self.

For both are intertwined.

Discover what GOD created you for.

Find the real meaning of life.

Find your purpose.

Pray for the details.

GOD always answers our prayers.

But know this:

1 John 5:14

King James Version

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, 

that, if we ask any thing according to his will, 

he heareth us:

It's a joyful journey, this process.

Which SPIRIT helped me unravel.

Beginning with self.

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Image: Clipart Library

EVERYTHING will CHANGE

 

JESUS said:

Mark 13:23

King James Version

23 But take ye heed: 

behold, 

I have foretold you all things.

I always wait upon the LORD.

I wait, for what He wants me to write.

Today, He woke me up especially early.

And it was clear.

We are to write about work.

What work to do.

And where to put your trust in.

I already know my work.

Fifty-two months ago, it was made clear.

Before that, I had tons of other jobs.

Talk about a polka-dotted career.

I didn't care.

I loved learning anyway.

I said yes to people who offered me decent work.

Never mind I knew nothing about the work.

They offered, and I said, "Yes!"

All the while mumbling to myself, "I'll figure it out later".

I guess I was a fast learner.

I'd be ashamed to be a slow one.

People had other things to do.

Who was I to bind their time?

I must be up, and running.

Such was my work philosophy.

It was actually a compliment to self.

That people offered you work.

Because they believed you can do it.

Never mind that you had no degree for it.

Never mind that you had no experience in it.

Employers can see the light dancing in your eyes.

They know you will make an effort to accomplish the work.

Such was my experience most of my life.

And then, things changed.

For 20 years, I was in the desert.

What used to work, didn't anymore.

I made tons of mistakes, and literally paid for it.

Sure, I tasted success for the most part before that.

And then, I had nothing.

Nothing worked anymore.

People looked down on me.

I couldn't duplicate my success.

No matter how I tried.

Can you stand it?

Being in the desert for 20 years?

How was I to earn income?

I wrote for a national magazine for a whole year.

I taught piano the next two-and-a-half years.

I did bazaars, before and after the "desert" experience.

I had been a writer, bizcomm lecturer, designer, and salesperson.

What was an architecture grad doing in those jobs?

I didn't care.

I loved working.

I loved learning.

I needed the money.

I felt all that learning will come in handy sometime.

Prophetic words, if ever.

Look, we're all salespeople.

We all sell something.

The only thing I wouldn't sell is my soul.

Thus, the resulting hardship.

Or perhaps, my work was to be taken to the next level?

What level?

Who was calling the shots?

How was I to survive?

How was I to provide for family?

How was I to pay the bills?

That went on for 20 years.

Either I was a knucklehead.

Or GOD wanted to see my patience.

And perseverance.

I decided to hang on.

Even as no answers were forthcoming.

But I managed to survive it all, through GRACE.

GOD took pity on my heart over four years ago.

He saw I wasn't ever going to sell out.

Not for any price.

No matter the lack of money.

No matter being in the desert for 20 years.

What kept me going?

All the principles my father taught me.

All the books I read on endurance.

All the books I would devour, so I may find absolute truth.

Then, I had no idea, GOD's eyes were on me.

I was predestined for something.

As we all are.

Why else the tons of jobs He gave me?

Why else the opportunities He gave me?

Why else the people who believed in me?

Surely, it was by His Hand.

Surely, it was by His love.

Surely, it was what He created me for.

To live, love, learn, study, work, earn, and make mistakes.

It was the latter that really taught me.

I can laugh at it now.

But it was pure pain before.

I believe things changed when I made a declaration to self.

That I wanted REAL change.

That I didn't want to sin anymore.

That I was sick of self.

Please, GOD, what was my truth?

What is absolute truth?

Where can I find it?

Lo, and behold!

Words GOD waited for so long.

This slow-learner finally got it.

And that's when He showed up.

Five months after that declaration.

In another article, I mentioned an observation.

That you have to experience all parts of the spectrum:

If you've always been successful, how can you know failure?

If you've always been rich, how can you know poverty?

If you've always been healthy, how can you know illness?

If you've always been free, how can you know bondage?

Nothing like experiencing it for yourself, to know firsthand.

GOD made me experience all that so I can tell you my story.

Especially after He made me born again.

EVERYTHING changed.

EVERYTHING became clear.

I didn't look for work anymore.

I waited for GOD to determine my work.

I didn't focus on money anymore.

I focused on knowing GOD''s will instead.

I wasn't afraid anymore.

I trusted GOD completely.

I wasn't reading other books anymore.

I live by GOD's WORD now.

I wasn't in chaos anymore.

I am now at peace.

All that, just because GOD made me born again.

Yeah, sure, but what about money?

I can hear most people demanding that.

For we do live in a money-crazed world.

Everything in the world has been designed for money.

A few have; the majority don't.

A few know; most are kept in the dark.

A few are secure; the rest in danger.

That's what the god of this world designed.

But the REAL GOD designed believers for eternal life.

For salvation, through His Son, JESUS.

And for the Rapture.

Which can occur any moment.

And you're wondering if you'll ever make it.

If you'll ever make tons of money.

If you'll catch up with the Joneses.

If you'll be able to buy that Tesla.

If you'll be rich and famous like someone you idolize.

If you'll ever have job security.

And yet, the Rapture can happen as we speak.

The true born again doesn't worry about worldly things.

Remember Job's statement:

Job 1:21

King James Version

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, 

and naked shall I return thither: 

the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; 

blessed be the name of the Lord.

Instead, we are to do these things:

Proverbs 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

Romans 12:2

King James Version

2 And be not conformed to this world: 

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that ye may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, 

and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 3:1-2

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

Surely, I don't make light of your situation.

You have bills to pay, a family to feed, dignity to uphold.

Thing is, GOD will only allow what He will allow.

He is SUPREME AUTHORITY over all.

Without JESUS, we cannot do anything.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

GOD has given ALL authority to His SON.

Matthew 28:18

King James Version

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Find comfort in the fact all our sufferings on earth is but temporary.

Matthew 24:13

King James Version

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, 

the same shall be saved.

Find comfort in the LORD's victory:

John 16:33

King James Version

33 These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

TRUST the LORD.

And He will provide for all your needs.

According to His will.

JESUS assured us of that.

Luke 12:7

King James Version

7 But even the very hairs of your head 

are all numbered. 

Fear not therefore: 

ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Why fear?

JESUS is here.

John 10:14

King James Version

14 I am the good shepherd, 

and know my sheep, 

and am known of mine.

Nothing could be more noble, than working for JESUS.

Being taught by His SPIRIT, each moment.

Being truly of service to others.

Being obedient to His will.

The believer works for the GLORY of GOD.

There is no security in this world.

Only through JESUS can we be secure.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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Image: Jason Goodman