In an orientation we had when we first arrived at Causeway Coast Vineyard Church in Ireland, one of the pastors gave a short talk about what can happen when we fully understand our identity in Christ. He said when we understand our identity in Christ, we have clarity, which then gives us authority. The more I thought about that statement, it really began to reshape how I viewed different areas of my life.
One area I’ve always struggled with is the question of what I want to do for a career. There is so much pressure from culture today to be successful. It’s this unspoken expectation, and if you don’t live up to the measure of “success” that is appropriate for your corresponding stage of life, you are failing, or are a failure at life. Although the path I chose in college was music, and teaching violin is not typically looked down on in any way, it’s hasn’t been the path I’ve always chosen. For several years I worked in retail, and serving, and many times it felt like I had to give a reason, or justify my choice of work.
This month, God has really used the leaders, and people of Vineyard, and their teaching, to realign my view of what really matters. The things of this world are not lasting. It doesn’t matter at the end of the day what you do, whether it’s teaching, selling clothes, or making things. The only things that really matter are eternal. You can’t take possessions, or money with you when you die! Yes, I do realize we live in a world where you do have to pay bills, pay rent, and buy food. However, as long as your needs are being met, it really doesn’t matter how (as long as it is not illegal of course!)
What matters is people. Leading others into life, making devoted disciples for Jesus, and doing all of that as worship to The Lord. That is possible no matter where you work, or what career you choose. I know it is not possible for me to change those unspoken expectations of success, or the competitive need to “get ahead” of everyone else in today’s culture; but I can choose whether those have any effect on me. I can choose to rest in the identity of who God says I am, and what he’s called me to do.
Going back to what I mentioned above, when you know your identity, you have clarity, which gives you authority. I know who I am in Christ, and even though I may not have exact clarity of what I want to do as a career, I have clarity about what is most important, which is helping to lead others into life with Christ. And, Jesus has given me the authority to do just that. I have learned so much from my time in Ireland, and it has been such a joy and privilege to serve at CCV. I can’t wait for God to strengthen and build on everything I’ve learned from this month!
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
~Ps 16:11
