If you think your job is your calling, you’re missing out on something big. You’re so much more than the way you make money. And you have more value in you than what pays the bills.
So many people think the fulfillment of their dream means getting paid to do what they love. That they’ve somehow reached their purpose when they get their dream job or finally start that self-sustaining business.
The problem with that type of thinking is: What happens when that’s taken away from you? What happens when you lose your job? When you’re forced to retire? When you get injured and can no longer perform that task? Your calling and your purpose is so much bigger than all that.
The Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. Peter was a fisherman. Jesus was a carpenter. But their legacy far exceeded their job. They were called to bigger things than their profession. They didn’t find their identity in those things.
That isn’t to say they weren’t faithful in their jobs. We have to work hard at everything we do. But we have to realize our identity is bigger than our job.
- Mothers, your identity is bigger than just raising your children. When your children are grown up, your value isn’t over. Your purpose is bigger than just that.
- Church creatives, your identity is bigger than serving at your church. When you’re no longer the hippest, coolest cat on the scene, you still have value.
- Writers, your identity is bigger than your reviews on Amazon.com. Even when your project drops to the bottom of the bestsellers rankings, you still have value.
- Pastors, your identity is larger than your relevance. Even when you’re in a nursing home, reminiscing about the good old days, your value persists.
Your calling is bigger than your profession. Start living as such.