She looked across the table as if she was going to admit she was preggo, selling illegal substances, or pilfering from her governmental job. She inhaled, swallowed, and braced herself for my reaction. I sat across from her and munched on the mound of warm deliciousness some people call bread. Seriously, I said, you’re starting to worry me. [Note: I eat when I’m nervous.]
She pushed her bread plate away from her [Note: she doesn’t eat when she’s nervous] and blurted out her aspirations of becoming a ________.* With a quizzical look and arched eyebrow I replied, So what? Just do it.
For the next two hours we sat around discussing the importance of passion and guilt. Passion in doing what we want to do; guilt in what it is we want to do. She confessed her guilt was because her desire wasn’t “spiritual” and it’s not like teaching the bible or working for a church [Note: she was probably talking about me].
She wasn’t comparing like I-want-to-be-like-you, but more of a It’s-not-a-holy-job. Naturally we are inclined to compare ourselves in the discovery of God’s will for our lives. It’s part and parcel of our brokenness and humanity.
But what is defined as a holy job? Working for a church? OH PLEASE! A holy job is a person who desires to be holy and HAS a job. There’s a lot of people who are guilt trippin’ over what they’re inspired to do. Why? God has created us to do great things… impossible things!
If you want to be a rapper, be a rapper who gives glory to God. You want to be a photographer, be the most amazing photographer who captures God’s beauty. You want to be an deejay, actress, playwright, brain surgeon, lawyer–do it. And do it well. We are his masterpiece created for good works Ephesians 2:10 tell us.
So why struggle? If you are able to praise God with your talents, give the glory He is due, and make a living out of it, DO YOUR THANG’!
*You fill in the blank. It could possibly be what you’ve been praying about doing.
It can be hard for someone who’s experiencing what your friend is facing because we’re hammered so many times about how there are “Christian/Holy” jobs and then there are “other” jobs. The church has for too long made it appear that unless you’re in “MINISTRY, INC.” that somehow you’re not in a “holy” profession. I know a lot of dentists who are more holy in their practices than some pastors.
Another factor, and one that gets me, is that many of us don’t want to step out into something that God doesn’t want us to be doing. We can put the “holy” tag on it or just think “well, I love to do this but it’s not developing how I like. God must not be in this and I should do something else.” In reality, God could very well be in it but you just need to grow.
I struggle with that especially when I wrestle with whether or not He wants me to chase my dream of being a novelist. It’s hard to take those steps out where you almost have to force a few doors open to see if others will come open as well.
Awesome! I’ve been debating with this since Sunday. A friend told me about a lead singer/songwriter audition for a secular spanish pop band and I went. Thought it would be fun…well I kinda got it. But I’m thinking, its not a “Christian” band (or a “holy” job), which is what I’m used to…So I’m waiting on God for approval,since there’s alot that comes with the package but your words definietly shed some light.
Thanks B!
I just wanted to say that for being such a young woman (not to discredit other women your age), you are a very wise woman.
Proverbs 31:26 “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
You seem to have these qualities radiating from your soul. You’re a gifted woman, and I pray you forward as you continue to move in the name of love.
You go girl and do your thang’. 🙂
Great post!
I am just as proud of my daughter that is a nanny & photographer in Oregon, as I am of my daughter that is a missionary in Argentina.
We have always told our kids, “It. Doesn’t. Matter.” No, it doesn’t matter what career you choose, as long as you are loving and serving the Lord in that chosen career.
We have encouraged our kids to pursue God, pursue their dreams, and pursue their passions.
It doesn’t matter … if they have a college degree.
It doesn’t matter … how much income they will make (as long as they can pay their bills).
It doesn’t matter … what their title is.
It just doesn’t matter.
None of what the world deems successful matters. My “kids” will be successful only if and when they are loving and serving the Lord in their lives.
That … is what matters.
Mama D.
(with 6 young adult “kids” and 6 younger kids)
Note to Cirene …
I do believe that it is important that ANY career bring honor and glory to the Lord. If this pop band in any way (words or music or actions of other band members) is dishonoring to the Lord, than I believe that He would NOT want you to pursue that.
Make sense?
If the LORD has given you a gift of music … why not honor him fully by using it to sing praises to HIS name, through “Christian music”???
I hear you Mama D. 🙂 and I agree with a lot of what you say. As a Christian who loves the Lord I would not want to be part of something that dishonors Him. I guess I’m trying to discern if this is an opportunity God is openning up for me to minister in a very different way, to a different crowd. I have to this day been part of christian bands and in the worship teams which I love and its a beautiful ministry. But whatever God says. I’m willing to go for it or drop it…I have about a week to figure it out haha 😉 Thanks!
LOVE this post!!! Can’t wait to see how you pursue your THANG, too…and possibly how I can benefit from it. Ha!
XOXO
I am a holy jumper in sand. amen.
Hi bianca.. God bless you…
Is there an email address that I can send you a message? I tried sending you a message to the CC Montebello site but I wasn’t sure if it went through ~ my computer is wacky LOL It is in reference to purchasing a women’s retreat DVD ~ I so appreciate all your help & all your blogs!
Oh my goodness, I love you!
“A holy job is a person who desires to be holy and HAS a job.”
So wonderfully said! I just love how great you are at putting people in a peaceful place with themselves. Just wonderful!
@ Cirene, I’m in a very similar situation so I can sympathize. They always say God works in mysterious ways. Perhaps God is putting desires in our heart and placing us in these “secular” settings (the world outside of church) to reach people who aren’t exposed to him. Who knows? I think as long as we don’t compromise who we truly are (God’s children) he can do amazing things. I would just keep praying about it…and I’ll be praying for you too!
…and Bianca, I have no words. So ditto what Carrie LeighAnna said! Another great blog!
Love this. It’s so true. I grew up in a very conservative church, where I felt pressured to be ‘called’ to do ministry in a church or mission. I’m not blaming it on them, but I was so impressionable, and up until very recently, I didn’t really know what I needed to be doing or that I felt like I belonged anywhere. I’ve now realized what it is that I really enjoy doing, and am good at doing, and that the Lord wants us in all places serving and knowing all people, and that because I’m not a pastor’s wife(I HATED that growing up that because I was a female, that my ministry could only begin once I was married, supposedly) does not make me any less valuable or usable. I’m me, the way He made me, and He wants me to love regular people who aren’t inside the church, and you know what? I’m good with that! 😉
This is such a great and timely post. Doing your thing can mean anything. As long as you’re glorying God in all that you do, that is what matters?
Thanks for the reminder Bianca.
There is a weird idea that some people have that you can only serve God by being directly involved in the ministry.
Now, although serving in the ministry is the most direct way to serve God, you can serve God in any field that you work in.
We need Christian doctors, Christian lawyers, Christian managers, Christian musicians; we need Christians in every field of work.
You can be a testimony in any field and be serving God.
We needn’t make the will of God such a mysterious thing. “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing in all things give thanks for this is the will of God”.
You can be an active agent in the will of God by being used wherever he needs you. Rejoice where you are, pray and give thanks to our Lord; this is the essential Christian life.
the Church seems to have created a divide between sacred and secular. but that’s definitely not what God intended. every profession (and activity) is holy when we throw ourselves into it with hearts that desire to glorify Him fully.
love it! it’s like that “just do something” book you wrote about (loved it by the way)…
This can even be true when it comes to how we spend our time. One of my hobbies is running. I trained for a marathon a couple of summers ago and struggled to reconcile this hobby that was consuming so much of my time and my desire to use every moment for the glory of God. My husband reminded me that I often spent those long miles in prayer or listening to worship music. It wasn’t in vain–it was to the glory of God. I will probably not train again for a marathon anytime soon, but every mile that I run, I try to use it to bring me closer to the Lord, for His glory.
Thanks for this encouragement!
Great post and great way to encourage your friend. Alot of folks tend to get caught up in this area – God will place you where He desires you to be – like you said no matter if you are a doctor, grocery check out clerk, police officer, mechanic – use these talents to give Glory to God!
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
@ Mama D – Im from ARGENTINA!! CHEA! Hope your daughter is enjoying her time out there. Tell her to get ready for the World Cup….the country comes to a halt during the games.
Thank you for this post! It is so nice to have encouragement to do what you want for the Glory of God. As a young women who is trying to find out what God wants of her it is wonderful to see that someone is there encouraging me to use it for the glory of God. Thank you!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I really loved this. Quite wonderful, actually 🙂
Thanks Maxine!! 🙂
I’ve been so swamped with work I haven’t had time to reply to any of the comments, but I laughed because I didn’t have to!
What an awesome community of people who offer support and encouragement and truth.
Truth: I was in a funky mood. Then I read all the comments said in truth and love to each other and it just made me smile 😀
I was wondering what happened to you.
I felt like I “took over” your blog, since several people commented back to me. But … knew you wouldn’t mind.
🙂 🙂 🙂
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