Prayer and Labour

Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. - Exodus 31:1-5

Bezalel was called by God to perform a most important work for Him. I am sure that Bezalel believed that he was naturally gifted with his hands to make fine crafts with gold, silver, and bronze. He probably did not associate it with God's work. But the Scripture tells us that God chose him and filled him with his Spirit to enable him.

Does God call men and women into their vocations to fulfill His purposes - to fulfill that which needs to be accomplished throughout the world? Have you ever thought about how many occupations there are in the world? How did that balance of interest among each human throughout the world happen? Did it just happen? Was it by chance that we have only so many doctors, only so many accountants, only so many geologists? Your interest in your vocation is not born of your own making. So many workplace believers and even pastors have made the mistake of encouraging us who have a deep desire to walk with Christ in the workplace to pursue Christian ministry. To remove us from the workplace where the greatest harvest is yet to occur would be to remove us from where God called us. Do not take this bait. Serve the Lord in the workplace where He has gifted you and called you. (Os Hillman-TGIF Today God is First)

I almost made this same mistake when God drew me to Himself when I was 26 years old. I concluded that I must be called to be a pastor. I took steps to fulfill this by entering Northwest Baptist College and Seminary for training. Eventually I obtained a Master's degree from Regent College and I was now more sure than ever that God had called me to the pastorate. I engineered a part time pastorate in a First Nations Church in Alert Bay, BC; and served there for almost two years. But I was not happy. Separated from Gina and the boys four days out of seven, I faced a struggle every day. I wanted to be home, and I wanted to serve in the Church. My marriage was slipping. Yet, I went so far as to tell God that if he wanted me to leave the community, he would have to drive me out. In the process I came close to wrecking my marriage and losing my family. But God's mercy allowed me to be removed from that position. Indeed, he drove me out of the community. "My" ministry was a failure. I was "forced back into the world." It was a great lesson. I was never cut out to be a pastor in a church. I was called to pastor in the world of work.

"This is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says to all those people I sent away from Jerusalem as captives to Babylon. Build houses and settle in the land. Plant gardens and eat the food they grow. Get married and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons, and let your daughters be married so that they may have sons and daughters. Have many children in Babylon; don't become fewer in number. Also do good things (work) for the city where I have sent you as captives. Pray to the Lord for the city where you are living, because if good things happen in the city, good things will happen to you also" (Jer. 29:4-7).

God has shown me mercy. He has restored my marriage and he is blessing my family. Today, I wash dishes, prep cook, and cook the line for a living. Stress in gone, and I am once again a happy man. Do you know why? It is because I am in the centre of God's will. Not forcing myself on God or upon his people, but serving the community where he has placed me.

"I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! " (Jer. 29:11-13).

God is good. He accepts all of my mistakes and failures, reminding me that, "Man proposes, but God disposes" (Prov. 16:9). Sometimes the JOURNEY is the DESTINATION; and I am "on the Way." My calling, my vocation is in the workplace.