Ten years ago, the university where I currently work unveiled a 12-part vision statement to help chart the institution’s course for the next decade. Being a private, Christian university, the vision statement included a natural bent toward spiritual development. Imperative VI, in particular, emphasized the need for students “to understand life as a stewardship and work as a vocation.” Over the years, this idea of life as a calling extended into staff and faculty professional development, as well.

In a nutshell, if we view our life work as a calling and life — as a whole — as a stewardship of service, then even the most seemingly mundane tasks can become our ministry. We begin to live out Colossians 3:17, which reads: “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” (NIV).

When I embarked upon an overseas missions assignment in the mid-to-late ’90s, I had a very clear sense of God’s calling toward that role. I didn’t know yet if I was supposed to make a complete career shift into missions or if it would be a short-term assignment, but regardless, I was confident that I was supposed to go when I did.

Since that time, I have felt a sense of reassurance about the jobs that I have held. I haven’t experienced a firm “calling” toward any particular position, but I feel like God has let the dominoes fall in place to prepare me for where I am today.

All that is to say, what’s next? All of my spiritual gift inventories point toward administration as my primary gift, and I’ve gained quite a bit of professional experience in the nonprofit sector/higher ed. I used to think that God had one purpose/plan for my life, so I’d darn sure better get it right and make the singularly correct decisions. Now, I wonder if that’s really the case. The “Experiencing God” study several years ago made me realize that I should be more conscientious about where God is at work than I should be about “my” decisions. God can still work through me, no matter where I live or what my job title happens to be.

I pray for God’s will to be done, but part of me wonders: Isn’t he going to do his will, anyway? I suppose that my prayer to that end is just an affirmation that I’m conforming to his plan, even if it is not necessarily my own initial inclination. If I pray for God’s will and receive a job offer, do I take it and assume it’s his will? What if there are multiple options on the table? What if I say yes to one, and the next day, another calls? (Ah, to be so fortunate in this economy! I’m just thinking aloud, not presuming that potential employers will be knocking down my door begging to hire me.)

I pray for peace and wisdom. James 1:5 reminds me, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (NIV).

Somehow, entering the “real” mission field seems like a less daunting task than making a career move. Perhaps because people assume that you are “called” to missions, whereas, jobs are just jobs? I don’t know the answers.

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Today’s post is another life:unmasked link-up. Join us and share the vulnerable messy truth about you and God and how God is at work in that mess.