It's been almost 5 years now since I left law school to work. The calling to become a full time pastor has always been a consideration at the back of my mind, although at this point of my life, I dont feel called to do so. Well not yet anyway. So I entered the secular world, pursued a secular career and relegated my ministry to the weekends. Was I somehow less of a Christian for becoming a lawyer rather than a pastor? Many of us struggle to make our Christianity compatible with our secular endevours, whether studies or work. Somehow we feel that God would be more pleased if we spent all our time in church, or ministry or evangelising or preaching etc. Time spent in school or in the office is time spent away from God. Interestingly, in the book the Contemporary Christian, the great Christian writer John Stott writes, "the God many of us worship is altogether too religious." This is true of many of us. We feel that God is only interested in church services and evangelism and other religious stuff. Exams and work are 'secular' things which God has no concern of. And if it is not his concern, there is no reason why should he help us in our studies or in our work. In fact, we almost expect him to be displease if we serve less in church because of our studies or work. Then I came across Col 3:23,24 -
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
These verses clearly tell us that God is as interested in our secular pursuits as he is in our church service. Paul was talking about servants obeying their masters, clearly a very 'secular' thing. And what is even more surprising is that he says we will be rewarded for this 'secular' efforts! John Stott goes on to write "The whole of our life belongs to God and is part of his calling, both before conversion and outside religion. We must not imagine that God first became interested in us only when we were converted, or that now he is interested only in the religious bits of our lives." Many Christians feel that if there is a toss-up between serving in YM or church, and their studies or work, ministry should take priority. We must realise however that there are seasons in our lives. If you are a student, then you been called to be a student at this point of your life. Your calling is then to honour God in your studies. If you are a lawyer or a doctor, then it is your calling to be a lawyer or a doctor at this point of your life. And we are to honour God by using the abilities and position that we have to serve him.
When we begin to shine the light of eternity on our secular pursuits, we will begin to see them as God sees them. We study and work hard, but we do so with the perspective that we are working for something greater than that A grade or the next promotion. We do so because we are stewards of the opportunities, abilities and talents God has given us, and are therefore responsible to develop and use them for His glory and for the futherance of His kingdom. We are able to put work and studies in their proper place, not to use them for self-glorification but in surrender to His eternal purpose and perfect plan. It is amazing then cos in the grand scheme of eternity, there is eternal reward for every secular thing we do on this earth. That includes passing your Chinese exam...