This past week, we started a Sunday School class with 3rd to 5th grade boys and one of the questions we asked was ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ We got a variety of answers from truckers, to policeman, bus driver, and several honest ‘I don’t know.’ It is likely a question that has been around for centuries, even when the expectation was to do the same thing your parents did. I remember making plans with my brothers to move to another farm we had and live there together. My father grew up the oldest of three children and was always expected to help out on the farm. When he was away at college and my grandfather needed help, my dad left school and came home to get done what needed done, putting school aside for another year. We often get asked the same question when we graduate from high school, college, and other times as well, besides sometimes getting asked the loaded ‘what do you want to do with your life?’ from impatient elders. How have your hopes and dreams changed as you were asked those same questions throughout your life?
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Have you known people who have made mid-life career changes out of necessity after losing a job, or because something prompted them to change courses? We have several friends who had seemingly good and stable jobs who decided to change course and become full time missionaries. One couple had no children and had been married less than 5 years and moved to China. Another couple had 4 children and moved their family to West Africa. There are many more uncertainties on the missions field, though nothing in life is very certain, but God has provided what they need. We also have some friends who decided to become more active in missions after they retired from other full time jobs. We have also had friends who have left the missions field for various reasons, but are no more or less children of God than they were before. There are many things that can cause us to change course with where we thought we were going in life. Do we still trust God despite those changes?
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
So, regardless if you are 17 or 71 years old, what do you still want to do with your life? If you are at all like me, there are likely some changes you want to make in your daily routine to increase good habits and minimize or eliminate bad habits, but what about major job changes or moving your family to a new place. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? We don’t always know what tomorrow will bring, but we can say we trust God regardless of what challenges or changes we experience in life. Can you say that or have you seen that in others? Let’s start by asking God what He has for us today. What do you want to do with your life today? Keep asking that and you may be surprised what the answer will be.
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. Proverbs 3:5-6
Yours in Christ,
Clark
