Working Through Vocational Transition

Our Mission

To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.

Matthew 22.14 reports, many are called, but few are chosen. Who God is and Who we think He is are often in-congruent. What we expect God to do or be like often conflicts with how He acts or describes Himself in the Bible. Bible reading and study is the critical discipline necessary for aligning our opinion of God most closely to the true nature, character and ways of God. Today’s verse is a case in point over Who God really is and what we normally think God is like.

We think of God as all loving, kind, and generous. We see Him like Santa Claus; big, jolly, having no issues with anyone. Certainly He is loving, kind and generous but His display of these things isn’t how we expect. In our warped view of God we would assume that God would tell us how much He loves us and how much He looks forward to all of us joining Him in heaven one day. When God came to live among us on earth as one of us He had His best opportunity to most clearly inform us of His future intentions of good and blessing toward us.

In our view, it would seem like God in Jesus would hug everyone and tell them how much they are loved and how great their lives are going to be in the world to come. When we read the Bible a different reality is recorded. Instead of saying everyone goes to heaven, God says few will get to heaven. Instead of saying that reaching heaven is easy obtained by everyone, Jesus tells us the way is hard that leads to heaven and few are on the right road. While God invites the world to His eternal home He concedes only a few are chosen.

These recordings by God should disturb us immensely. We should think much deeper and spend more time reflecting on the poverty of our effort to get to heaven if God is serious that only a few will make it.

Every funeral ends with the person going to heaven no matter how they lived their lives. We gloss over their ignoring of God, their disobedience of God’s commands and instead embellish their kindness, generosity and good intentions. Do we really believe God will do the same with us? Why? What evidence do we have that God cares nothing for how we actually lived while on this earth?

The Bible is full of stories of God both inviting humanity into a relationship with Him and of God condemning humanity for their disobedience to Him. God is constantly reaching down to us looking for those who will reach up to Him to receive His full embrace.

It is those who truly love God as evidenced by obedience to God as defined by the Word of God that will live forever with God. Everyone else will spend their eternity apart from God where there will be weeping and suffering. We might think otherwise but the Bible, historically God’s recorded thoughts, words and deeds, conflicts with our inherent belief about God. What will we stake our eternity upon, our thoughts or God’s Word?

His Opportunities

1. Tuesday, July 18th at the City Rescue Mission from noon until 1pm is your next CBMC Rescue Luncheon. This is your opportunity to serve lunch to the men and women who depend upon the Mission for their meal. Commit Here
2. CBMC needs your help to continue its ministry to men in the marketplace. Please DONATE

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
A Publication of CBMC International
July 17, 2017

Working Through Vocational Transition

by Jim Langley

Several of my friends have been dealing with new directions in their work life. These are not individuals just starting their careers, but mature workers who have given much to their respective companies for a good part of their lives. Some received substantial severance packages appropriate for their time of service, but even “golden handshakes” cannot take away the uncertainty of what lies ahead. None of these men is ready to leave the workforce to stay at home and live an unproductive life. Yet, until they find a new place to utilize their vocational skills and gifts, I imagine at times they will feel somewhat lost and will not know which way to turn. This happens when we become comfortable in our careers and fail to give thought to what God has planned for that next stage of our lives.

Having enjoyed a long career as an insurance agent, I can relate. Early on I realized my job was on the line frequently, since I was continually asking for permission to work with new prospects. I have come to cherish that uncertainty over the years, trusting God will provide the clients who are willing to work with me and entrust to me their financial matters. In recent years, I have also experienced God directing me to hone my writing skills, even though it takes me away from income-generating activities. Yet through it all, He continues to provide for my family – and I must remain obedient to His call. The Bible provides one of the best examples of patience in waiting for God’s direction in 1 Samuel 16, where a young shepherd boy named David was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel. From that day, the Spirit of the Lord was with David, but he had to wait many years before formally assuming the role of king. In the years between, he was hunted by King Saul and his men.

After Saul’s death, David became king of Judah first, and later king of Israel in Jerusalem. In all, he reigned over God’s people for more than 40 years. The Bible tells us David was a man after God’s own heart, and even though he experienced times of great failure, he remained obedient to God until his death. Just as David patiently awaited God’s perfect timing to begin his reign, we must patiently await whatever God has planned for our lives. In Jeremiah 29:11 we’re reminded, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I am confident He has a plan for each my friends, whether they will go to work for another firm, start their own businesses, or devote their time to some special passion God puts on their heart – even if it means having to tighten their belts to make ends meet.

Do not be surprised to one day find yourself in a situation similar to what these friends are facing, wondering what God has planned for your next chapter of life. My advice for them – and for you – is to trust He does have a plan for your future. Isaiah 60:22 states, “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord, in its time I will do this swiftly.” That phrase, “I will do this swiftly,” has made me realize God’s timing is not my timing. But I have learned His timing is perfect, and we all need to be patient and strive to listen for His voice as He carries out His wonderful plan in our lives, for His glory.

As Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We are promised that God knows His plans for all who trust in Him. Our job, even though it is not always easy to do, is wait for His perfect timing!

© 2017, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been an agent and chartered life underwriter (CLU) with New York Life since 1983 and an active member of CBMC of Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. since 1987. Adapted from one of his “Fourth Quarter Strategies” discussions, these are designed to “light a fire under Christian business and professionals to become more effective in the marketplace for Jesus Christ.” His website is: www.fourthquarterstrategies.com

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