Other than sleep, working claims a majority of our life’s energy, passion, and pain. In fact, the bulk of your living is with your coworkers, bosses, and clients; but isn’t there more than this? The reality is that you (those actively working) spend more time with your fellow workers than you do with your family. It is a matter of mathematics and the effect of the 7-day work week of today’s culture. So this fact begs the question, what is spiritual about your career? What is theologically (Biblically) important about the labor you put forth in your job? More on this later.

I am a previous pastor of a congregation, an (as needed) chaplain of a regional hospital, a hospital case worker, and an editor and product developer for our denominational printing and publishing company. I teach SCUBA diving to adventurous individuals and manage a small business that provides several educational services. I…love…to…work! I am passionate about the topics, services, and outcomes of so many aspects of my work. When I am not working one of these jobs, I am working in the yard or volunteering with one of several not-for-profit organizations.

My greatest work is that of being a dad. In last month’s issue on adoption, foster care, and children you read about my active family. Being a father is the hardest job I have ever had, and it is a job that I wonder when I will get fired. I am not very good at knowing the boundaries and hard lines with the kids; will my decision be too hard, or too soft? However, I know my best effort is to show love to my kids, even when they act like they hate it when I tell them. It is harder to be a dad in the culture of technology, cell phones, and Netflix. Many days go by, and I wonder if I have made any positive contribution at all to their personal and spiritual development. Parenting is real work.

People often ask me, “John, how do you do everything you do?” I tell them all the same thing, “I don’t do drama.” I mind my own business and work on the things most important to me; my family, my church, and community. I do not have time for petty gossip, idle chatter, or arguments about politics, religion, or the color of the carpet. I must choose every day to serve my calling to minister to my family, my church, and my community. That’s it…nothing more, nothing less. It is rarely easy, and yes, I get tired and at times burnt out, but then I work on myself; to show compassion to myself, and care for my personal needs. I travel to Cragmont for that kind of work. Some crisp mountain air, the rushing of a mountain brook, and a few deep conversations with John Williams, and I am back at work again.

These aspects beg the question, “What is my calling?” I have spent my life trying to fully answer that question because, for me, my calling is more than just to one job— it is a calling to a lifestyle of service. I know I am called to share God’s word, but in what form? I preach and write. I am drawn to walk with people in life as a spiritual leader, but in what way? I serve my family, my church, my local hospital, and greater community. I believe I am called to advance the Kingdom of God in the world, but in what form? I serve through my congregation, the FWB Press, the Community Magazine, and curriculum. In addition to those important works, there are opportunities through the University of Mount Olive, OFWB International, CareNet Counseling East, and Vidant Medical Center. A Christian calling is more than a job; it is a lifestyle of service with towel and basin. However, I do not recommend my level of overcommitment as a model for any sane Christian. Feel free to dial-it-back, a lot.

My career path has made it a little easier to focus on spiritual matters but consider how your activity generates spiritual influence and perspectives of grace. How do you see your ministry, calling, and service expand the kingdom of God in the world and bring others to a state of flourishing spiritual growth? What areas of your life are spiritually thriving and producing good fruit? Wake up every day to greet the Lord with the reply, “Here am I, send me!”