Graduating from college and entering into the “real world” has been one of the strangest transitions of my life. It’s a whole different ballgame with new rules, new players, and a new ball field.

There’s no end in sight. No “promotion” semester after semester or year by year. There’s no social climbing from freshmen to senior within four years. There’s no Aggie ring at the end of three years of working. It’s a different race with no end or promotion within sight.

As I’ve come to grips with this reality, I started questioning the purpose of work. A pretty simple thought that can be answered with a plethora of answers. I’ve gotta think that it’s more than to make money. I’ve gotta think it’s more than just ascending the vocational ladder or appeasing your superiors.

As I got to thinking, I took it to social media to get an idea of what some of my friends are doing with their lives. I got dozens of responses from my post. The ages ranged from early 20s to early 50s which encapsulates most of the working ages.

Here are some of the responses I got:
– “Community Outreach Specialist for the US Peace Corps in Lesotho, Africa. Trying to btho HIV/AIDS.”
– “My business card says MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER.”
– “Hey there Jamie! I’m a teacher. I teach great high school students the subjects of health, photography and yearbook.”
– “I am a sanitation engineer for Value Waste Services– I pick up trash 5 nights a week to make student housing communities look squeaky clean”
– “I’m a field worker for a plant breeder, and I pull lots of weeds”

God is really fair to us. He never asks us to do what he hasn’t already done. I believe when we capture this reality– it makes the day-to-day far more full of life.

What better motivational speaker has there been than Jesus? He has influenced numbers that I can’t even fathom.
Who is better at reaching the most diverse communities? And Jesus healed the sick with both words and his touch.
We see in the Bible that Jesus was a great teacher. Revered even by those who wanted to kill him. He taught us how to live lives full of health and balance.
He has come to justify and sanctify us of every unclean thing that hinders our walk. He is pulling our “weeds” out. Slowly, but surely.

How about if you’re working in real estate? Trying to find the most profitable areas to plant your clients’ businesses.
Well – how about when God led his people to the Promiseland. He set aside the best land for his people. Not as a businessman, but as a Father leading his children. Not seeking to gain profit, but as an invitation to share in His abundance.

A friend’s mother said, “I work for AVID…we develop teachers into better teachers and to close the achievement gap by preparing ALL students for college readiness and success.”
Jesus is invested in our preparation for this world and our readiness to succeed. He developed his disciples into great teachers to equip those to do the same.

I had a friend say, “Radio journalist- hunt down stories, writes up real short and sweet and say em on air.”
How about Jesus in the Gospels with his parables. Those short stories have been spoken of for thousands of years.

A friend I have known since before elementary school commented, “I’m a copywriter at an advertising agency. I write all the slogans you people ignore.”
Have you ever heard of “The truth will set you free”? See John 8:32.

Another friend informed me that she is a Recruiting Coordinator for a global technology company – Visa.
The Great Commission. The greatest recruiting mission of all time! Designed to reach every end of the Earth.

Accounting was one of my least favorite classes to take in college. No way would I have passed it without some intense tutoring from my roommate, Nate Welty. But think about it, accounting copies exactly what Jesus has done. He knows every transaction that has resulted in a debt in our lives. But He didn’t just take a look at all the wrongs we’ve done and only give us an idea of what we need to get our accounts reconciled. He personally zeroed our debts. Jesus paid it all and proclaimed that it is finished.

Whether we know it or not, we are all mimicking our Maker. He’s endowed us to work and has shown us there is so much purpose in it. What God would waste His time with purposeless activities? I encourage you to look into your role and see how God has done some of the same already. How it’s dignified and ultimately glorifying Him.

And the awesome thing is that Jesus is the worker that never gives up. Never takes the selfish route. He’s constantly seeking to give everything He has to those around Him. He’s the only person to know it all without ever acting like a know-it-all. He had hard conversations, asked a lot of questions, and sacrificed for people like me who do not deserve all of Him. What an encouragement!

God is the true and better worker. And we’re given the honor to mimic Him in our day to day lives.

– J. Wilder

Ephesians 4:28
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Ephesians 6:7
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,