Faithfully Navigating Your Career: Learning from the Wisdom of Apostle Paul
Scripture gives many references where the apostle Paul used logical thinking, combined with prayer, to determine his direction. Let’s use Romans 15:18-24 as an example (especially look out for verse 20) for an instance of Paul using logical thinking combined with prayer.
“18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written:
“Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”[a]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.”
Balancing Prayer and Logical Thinking in Decision-Making
Reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s example, we realize the significance of combining prayer with practical, thoughtful reasoning. While scripture endorses praying for clarity and wisdom, it also emphasizes the importance of not neglecting logical thinking in anticipation of signs from God.
Active Engagement in Career Discernment
Waiting on the Lord, as portrayed by Paul, does not mean remaining passive or idle. Rather it’s an active and dynamic process; it involves engaging in a purposeful and intentional journey, especially in the context of career decisions. Here’s what it looks likes to rely on the Lord in your career decisions.
Pray Always
Seek wisdom and discernment, asking God to shut any doors he does not want you to go through according to his knowledge that surpasses all of our understanding.
Discovering God’s Will for Your Career Through Bible Study
In addition to prayer, seek His will through His written word through daily study. You don’t always have to hear His will, you could read it. While the Bible may not explicitly spell out which career to choose, it paints a vivid picture of what it means to live a faithful life.
Building Your Career Path with Godly Counsel
Do not underestimate the importance of seeking counsel and discipleship from individuals who know you well and are rooted in biblical principles. Proverbs talks about the value of gathering as much counsel as possible from trustworthy, God-centered sources. Surround yourself with a diverse range of individuals who can provide valuable perspectives, and engage in meaningful discussions and decision-making processes with those mentors, elders, and peers.
Equipping Yourself for Career Success Through Continuous Research
Stay informed about new topics, try new experiences, and equip yourself with skills while seeking guidance in discerning the right path. Remain open-minded to the multitude of options available in today’s world. Remember the Parable of the Talents? Be like the servants who multiplied their wealth by acting on strategies that allowed them to be faithful and good stewards of what was entrusted to them.
Understand Who God Created You to Be
Dive deep into understanding your natural talents, spiritual gifts, and personality. Consider the Apostle, Peter. His impulsiveness turned out to be a two-sided coin. In immaturity, it presented challenges, but in maturity, it transformed into a powerful asset, making him a strong and decisive leader. This underscores the idea that understanding your top qualities involves acknowledging both sides of the coin—recognizing potential challenges in immaturity and unlocking valuable assets in maturity.
Discern What God has Placed on your Heart
This encompasses a range of elements such as interests, passions, fascinations, and even the things that deeply move or disturb you; these are unique to each person, what resonates with one person may differ for another. Dive into personal reflections, asking questions that draw out what truly ignites your passion and what prompts a desire to make a meaningful impact in the world, whether through creating beauty or addressing profound suffering. Pay attention to the distinct callings and convictions that God has placed on your heart as a guide for making wise and purposeful career decisions.
Give Yourself Permission to Find Your Calling
This process is not just about researching what’s directly linked to your current field or what you might have considered before. It’s about thinking beyond the confines of your past experiences and giving yourself the freedom to consider paths that may actually align more authentically with your talents, passions, and spiritual gifts.
Break away from the hesitations and self-imposed limitations that may often hinder you from considering possibilities outside your established career trajectories. There’s a tendency to dismiss certain ideas, thinking, “I could never do that” or “It’s too late for a change,” but allowing yourself to explore beyond these boundaries can open up unexpected and fulfilling career choices.
Engaging with Professionals to Find Joyful Work and Professional Alignment
Connect with individuals operating in these fields, and ask about what brings them joy and the challenges they face. As you listen to their experiences, consider whether the positives align with what you’re eager to experience and if they outweigh the challenges.
Prioritize finding joy in the daily tasks of the job itself, not just in the work environment or the potential career trajectory. Ask yourself, “Would I find joy and effectiveness in the daily tasks required by this job?” Focus on roles where your natural talents and skills can shine, enabling you to excel, be efficient, and experience the satisfaction of being highly effective in your work. This perspective ensures that your career choice aligns with both your professional capabilities and personal fulfillment.
A Faithful and Purposeful Career Journey
When relying on the Lord for career decisions, it’s about more than only prayer and reading the Bible. It involves actively collecting wisdom, seeking counsel from others, conducting thorough research, discovering who God made you to be, and understanding what He has placed on your heart. Throughout this process, you’re not passive; you’re testing things out, asking the Lord for guidance, and taking intentional steps to discern His will.
Discernment doesn’t come through inaction; it comes through engaging in various forms of action. Rather than waiting for the perfect career to come knocking on your door, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.
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