Are you doing the work of the Lord every day? Or is that something only pastors and missionaries get to do?
This is an important question we must settle in our hearts if we are to see the next great move of God.
When I gave my life to Christ in college, my life completely changed. I eventually got into Christian circles, and I heard others talking about going to seminary after college to become pastors. I wondered if that was what serious believers in Christ were all supposed to do.
I felt no pull in the direction of going to seminary, so I let the thought go and just continued on my journey to finish my degrees and began my career. It would be years until I finally saw my work the way God intended me to.
“Anointed for business” is the phrase God used to pull all the pieces together in my understanding on the topic of faith and work. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and I nearly fell out of my chair.
I realized that God actually wanted me in my work—He wasn’t disappointed in me because I didn’t work for a church. I finally felt the freedom to fully embrace my work and enjoy it with the passion that God gave to me.
As I went on to study God’s Word as it related to work, I saw that He wants much more than just a superficial connection between our spiritual life and our work. In fact, I saw that my work was foundational to my walk with Christ.
God began to highlight to me in Scripture how people like Joseph partnered with Him in their work. God gave Joseph answers to tough problems that no one else could solve. He even gave him the strategy to collect food in preparation for the time of famine.
God cared about the things Joseph was responsible for, and Joseph worked together with God in a partnership.
Work is an integral part of our walk with Christ. God is a worker, and He created us to work. Work existed before sin entered the world, and righteous work can be done to glorify God in a unique way.
God wants to use our work in many ways. He wants to shape us through our work. He wants to shape others through our work. He wants to accomplish much and ultimately expand His kingdom, grow His influence and bring Him glory through our work.
Whether you are in your dream job or on your way to it, God has provision for everything that comes to you. Nothing is arbitrary. God has uniquely qualified you for the path He has prepared for you to walk.
Embrace the assignments God has anointed you to do. It’s time to take on your partnership with God in your work. It’s time to do God’s work God’s way and to do it for the glory of God.
Tune into this episode of Your Faith at Work, Anointed for Business, on the Charisma Podcast Network. {eoa}
Ryan S. Howard, Ph.D., is the founder of Your Faith At Work, a ministry that helps Christian professionals transform the way they live and work every day. He has worked in the global manufacturing industry for more than 15 years and has visited over 20 countries. Ryan hosts a weekly podcast and is the author of 21 Days to a New Workplace You. Learn more at yourfaithatwork.org.
