Graduation is fast approaching. I feel like Rapunzel in Tangled....
You know, the part where she's on her "I'm so happy...I'm a terrible
daughter" roller coaster? Yep, that's me. I'm so excited about being
done with homework, but then there's the thing of finding a for-real,
permanent job... no more real summers.
After spending four years studying one particular thing, I know *several* of us who are not super excited about our majors. However, with the job market the way it is and the loans situation the way it is, we are all most likely not going to get our dream job. After doing homework for core classes I really wasn't interested in for four years, I know how hard it is to do something well if you don't have a passion for it, or even a little bit of interest. Knowing that we might not get jobs we naturally have a passion for right off the bat, we have to figure out how to make the most of our situations, and find meaning and purpose in those places.
I've been reminded lately that...
1) Our identity is found in Christ alone.
"We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin." Romans 6:2-7
When we die to sin, we take on a new life-- one that is characterized by Christ. Christ should be how we describe ourselves. Your major might be part of what you do, but it's not who you are. Who you are is a slave to Christ.
2) Know Christ and make Him known.
"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:17-18
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9-12
If we're going to find our identity in Christ, and share him with others, we have to know him first. Grow in the in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3) Whatever you do, do it to honor God.
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:16-17
No matter where you are or what you're doing, you can find a way to do it to the glory of God. Be thankful that you have a job. Do a good job. Do things that will bring glory to God.
Purpose isn't necessarily found in what you do, it's found in Who you do it for.
After spending four years studying one particular thing, I know *several* of us who are not super excited about our majors. However, with the job market the way it is and the loans situation the way it is, we are all most likely not going to get our dream job. After doing homework for core classes I really wasn't interested in for four years, I know how hard it is to do something well if you don't have a passion for it, or even a little bit of interest. Knowing that we might not get jobs we naturally have a passion for right off the bat, we have to figure out how to make the most of our situations, and find meaning and purpose in those places.
I've been reminded lately that...
1) Our identity is found in Christ alone.
"We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin." Romans 6:2-7
When we die to sin, we take on a new life-- one that is characterized by Christ. Christ should be how we describe ourselves. Your major might be part of what you do, but it's not who you are. Who you are is a slave to Christ.
2) Know Christ and make Him known.
"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:17-18
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9-12
If we're going to find our identity in Christ, and share him with others, we have to know him first. Grow in the in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3) Whatever you do, do it to honor God.
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:16-17
No matter where you are or what you're doing, you can find a way to do it to the glory of God. Be thankful that you have a job. Do a good job. Do things that will bring glory to God.
Purpose isn't necessarily found in what you do, it's found in Who you do it for.
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