7:30-9:30pm
ACC Portable
Post-Fellowship: Andy and Maril's, 7901 Osborne
Notes: Career (part-Andy, part-Maril)
God started leading Walton one step at a time to Missions
How does God want us to think about our work?
How do I begin to intentionally and practically honor God?
What do you think of when you hear the word “work”?
- the curse, ew, tough, keeps from doing what I want to do, stress, money, pays bills, mowing the lawn, blessing, labor, toil, pain, hard, busy, pressure, lay-offs
What do you think is the opposite of work?
- Play, rest, life, vacation, leisure, freedom
Myths about work:
- God is not interested
- Work is just a means to get money
- It’s not as spiritual as other jobs
- It’s just a curse
Genesis 2: work was given to Adam before the curse
The curse: work will be much harder
Work can be a real blessing
How does God look at work?
Joseph has sequence to what he eats: saves good for last
We look at work that way.. just to keep us from doing the things we want to do
Ordained by God:
- Not a curse in itself
- Part of God’s plan for provision
- A sense of God’s calling
- Has great opportunities (for spiritual growth, to serve people, to worship and honor God, etc.)
- Intended as a blessing (not everyone can work)
6 Realities towards Integration
“Fourth ????” book
Most people have fragmented lives
Different friends, different behavior, different words, etc.
Mostly because it’s easier to fit in
Fragmentation can cause a lot of stress b/c we are not able to be who we are – we have to worry about what crowd we’re in
Not able to be unified, consistent person
Fragmented priorities
1,2,3rd priorities are God and everything else gets woven in
- Devotion – not about what we do, but why we do it; so important because without it we’ll be susceptible to the distractions of the world (1 John – if you love God, you’ll obey Him); we go to Him because we need Him; because we want to see and hear Him in our lives; need to look past the artificial priorities we’ve set up; overscheduling can often become the enemy of God’s leading; listen for the opportunities God puts in our lives
- Calling – reminds us there’s something bigger than just living out our lives, getting our paycheck; why do you do what you do in your job today? – perspective determines purpose in our lives (teacher getting paycheck v. teacher helping kids), best to see it from God’s point of view; calling gives a job its spiritual power; whatever job you do, if this is where God has led you, that makes it holy – do I feel a sense of calling with where I am?; Bob Chin’s calling to work with Asian-Americans in Austin helps him adapt his career to follow this leading (staying in Austin, etc); 40-50 hours/168 hours per week is a big chunk of time; might feel too young to think about purpose in life, but it’s never too late – you never know how much time you have left; work isn’t just a means to source your life until you find that great purpose; need to ask God to show us what he wants us to do, what kind of work – have to put all the chips out on the table, can’t hold anything back (e.g. as long as I can live in Texas) – distorts the communication between God and us – needs to be “whatever You ask”, “where You might take me”; often think God will make us do scary things if we lay it all out – but God merged Walton’s passions and skills to allow him to do great things; calling may change with season in life – continue to live with God in the present so He can lead you
- Integrity
- Do the right thing, not cutting corners
- Ex. Merck – distributed drugs to poor who weren’t able to pay for it b/c the founder stressed the importance of helping the people v. profits
- Stewardship
- all money on loan from God, who loves me so much
- easy to become self-centered and proud, spend MY money on things that I want
- Rest
- not the opposite of work, but part of the rhythm of our work (God worked 6 days, rested on 7th – made in image of God, He set an example for us)
- Sabbath made for man, not man for the Sabbath
- As a fellowship, how can we encourage each other to enjoy the Sabbath and rest?
- Growing Influence
- need to appropriately define boundaries of evangelism at work, some use relational evangelism as an excuse – don’t take the necessary steps to share God
- need to be intentional – not to step over the line – but to at least go up to that line
- e.g. Joe wants to start up Life Journal Bible study at his school, Walton needs to be willing to ask if that’s OK, what the boundaries are
Balancing Time – build in margins
- allow you to see God work in your lives, and respond
- plan time for yourself, leave time in the margins so people will feel free to talk with you, ask you to do things with them; if others feel you’re too busy, won’t be able to fit them in, maybe you are; leave room to be spontaneous
Andy’s q: Do I need a specific calling to what I’m specifically doing?
Walton’s background coding as an engineer allows him to connect with people in his neighborhood now
Geoff’s experience in
Some people are just trying to survive
Need to see the overall purpose of why I’m doing this; else large chunk of your life is disassociated from serving God
Do all for the Lord
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