Although we may not notice it, we often identify who we are by what we
\ndo for a living. A nurse may have a lifestyle and world view that is
\nquite different than that of a stockbroker.
A young employee working in
\na resort hotel may experience life differently than an inner city
\nsocial worker. Of course, we are much more than the sum of our job
\ndescriptions. But, it is quite true that our work greatly influences
\nboth how we perceive ourselves and the world. <\/p>\n
This can become painfully
\nclear if you suddenly become unemployed or own a business that has
\nsuddenly been hit hard by the recession. You might discover yourself
\nsuddenly wondering “Who am I?” and “Where do I fit into this world?”
\nThese thoughts might never have occurred to you if it weren’t for this
\neconomic crisis.<\/p>\n
If you recently received a pink slip or are experiencing a work-related setback, I would like
\nto ask you to consider these questions:
Do you honestly believe that God
\ndefines you by your job or profession?
\nIs it possible that God’s view of you is far greater and more expansive than anything you could possible hold for yourself?<\/p>\n
We are all, by and large, creatures of comfort and security. We want
\nour dinners on the table, our mortgages paid on time, and our lives to
\nbe generally predictable. The only problem with this is that our
\nspiritual needs may clash with some of these routine comforts. God may
\nin fact want and need us to question ourselves, our lives, and our
\nactions from time to time. While we might be perfectly content to draw
\na paycheck every month and simply pay our dues until retirement, this
\nmay not be what God has in mind for us.<\/p>\n
If you are presently unemployed or underemployed, perhaps this is a
\ngreat time to rethink your options and discover what God might be
\ncreating room for you to become. This a great time to step off the
\nmerry-go-round and explore what’s inside of you that God needs you to
\nexpress. Begin to see yourself as more than just a producer of goods
\nand services for consumption. You are a human being, full of wonder and
\nhope, fears and ambition, sorrows and joys, with an inner worth that
\nnone of us could possibly know. Take this time to reconnect with the
\nmystery of your own life and path in this world. Take a moment, right
\nnow, to reflect not on the past and what you’ve been or done, but on
\nhow God sees you, knows your true worth and the limitless potential
\nthat lies before you.<\/p>\n
Here’s a prayer for today:<\/p>\n
Dear God,
\nPlease help me to understand
\nThat I did not come to this world to be a mere machine of production
\nWith no greater purpose or meaning
\nThan to make a living but never fully live.<\/p>\n
Help me to know there is more to me and more for me.
\nHelp me to tap into my greater truth and potential,
\nHelp me to find a way to give my gift, to be of service
\nin a world full of needs.<\/p>\n
Help me to understand that I am a living miracle
\nBeyond my own comprehension
\nYour own expression of something magnificent
\nDisguised in a torn sweatshirt and old blue jeans
\nAmen.<\/p>\n
~Robert H. Coleman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Although we may not notice it, we often identify who we are by what we do for a living. A nurse may have a lifestyle and world view that is quite different than that of a stockbroker. A young employee working in a resort hotel may experience life differently than an inner city social worker.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":351,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6,17,8,19,13,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-beliefnet-prayer-circles","category-employment-prayers","category-financial-crisis","category-financial-healing-prayers","category-job-loss-prayers","category-money-prayers","category-self-worth"],"yoast_head":"\n