A Desk by the Window
I actually feel very blessed to have my “tent-making” job by a window. I complain but honestly God is in the details of my circumstances, BUT I really wish I had my way. To have the luxury of supporting my family entirely from doing what I love – ministry.
Why does God insist on the long road – the job you hate, consent physical pain, delay of immediate joy? Didn’t Jesus get the memo – accept Him and life gets better: more money, better friends, nicer clothes, and any job you want.
Peter had a lot to say on this issue. He said, “Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. (1 Peter 4.2)”
Ouch. I think the part that says “…instead of being tyrannized by what you want,” hits the hardest. Reminds me of the last LOST episode for the season where Ben asked Jacob, “What about me?” and Jacob responds “What about you!” So often we assume because we are doing what Jesus expects or commands there is something in the works for us. Our reward is Christ and no promise of friends, fame, or fortune.
But this doesn’t mean God is absent. When life gets really difficult, we can’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job (1 Peter 4.12). You see if you find “life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it (1 Peter 4.19).”
Here is the conclusion I have come to – true freedom comes from pursuing what God wants and He wants us to care for His people with all diligence. Not because you have to, but because you know that makes God happy. Not calculating what you can get out it (salary), but acting out of spiritual impulse (God will provide my needs). Not telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way (1 Peter 5.2-3).
I’ve come to the assumption that it’s unjust to ask people to live for Christ daily outside your sanctuary, if you sleep on the pews. Actually, I think true Christianity comes from being the church without buildings and actually just living with people. Maybe this is unorthodox but maybe the deeper truth of Christ is in getting our hands dirty and clothes frayed daily with the people we are sharing the Kingdom of God with?
Nonetheless, I’m content with who I am, and don’t want to put on self-importance. God’s strong hand is on me; he’ll promote me at the right time. So I live carefree before God; he is most careful with me (1 Peter 5.6-7).