I was just thinking about getting ready to go to work tomorrow and what came to mind was, “I’d rather be in Africa.” After first deciding to pursue missions Stacey and I chose to attend seminary because we felt a lack in our Bible knowledge. When we arrived in Louisville we had a lot of debt, so we worked really hard and the Lord provided and we were debt free. We finished seminary in May 2009 and adopted kids, switched missions agencies, adopted more kids…and now (7.5 years later) I work 40 hours a week, catch glimpses of my family, and long for Africa. I believe I was made for Africa, made to translate the Bible, made to learn unwritten languages. But most of my day is spent in a brown cubicle staring at a computer screen, sighing as I look at the pictures of Cameroon scotch taped to the dirty fabric. What is going on?!?
Well, what is going on is that He is God and I am not. I have made many plans in my life (one of them to be a life insurance agent) that were not even close to what God had planned. How many times have I said, “I could NEVER [insert God’s plan here]”? Actually, I am pretty sure I said at one time, “I could never be a Bible Translator in Africa.” Which overall reveals to me that I was not intended to be the one who makes such plans. This probably should not be such a surprise to me considering God wrote it in the Bible: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). It is God’s plan for me to be in Africa (I am pretty sure), but definitely not right at this moment. Instead it is his plan for me to drive to work tomorrow. To sit in my rolly chair, sort data, schedule trainings, sip coffee, and look at my tape pictures. And recite to myself, 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I do want to make one thing really clear, I am so thankful for my job.There have been so many ways that I have been blessed to work there and I do not consider those lightly.But you can have the best job in the world and be made for something different.And that is where I live. I would love some help in thinking through how to honor God best in these circumstances.I seek to work very hard and please my employers and witness at work.But I could always use help. How do you honor God at your work?What helps you to think of it rightly? How can I live for today when I am so ready for tomorrow?
