Russ Gehrlein is a longtime friend of NIFW, author, and multi-time Contributor to the NIFW Blog.
It was the spring of 1988. As a new sergeant in the U.S. Army, I had just been sent to Korea for a year, away from my young family. Like many Christians, I wondered if I was wasting my life stuck in a secular job. I thought I may have missed my calling. I doubted my job as a nuclear, biological, and chemical operations specialist had any eternal value. Did my work matter to God at all?
“I doubted my job as a nuclear, biological, and chemical operations specialist had any eternal value. Did my work matter to God at all? ”
What I wanted to do was serve the Lord in vocational ministry. However, that door closed shortly after I was fired from my youth pastor position in the summer of 1985. My options for full-time employment were limited. I looked into going back to teaching, but my teaching certificate from Colorado was not recognized in Oregon. For a host of good reasons, I joined the Army at age 27.
I know there are many Christian workers who have recently made a career transition and could use some biblical counsel. Some have started a new business, just completed a degree program, or are reentering the workforce after a long break. Some in their 40s or older are finally doing something perhaps they should have done years ago. Some are starting over after leaving the ministry or another profession. Others have not made any radical changes yet but may be thinking about doing it soon.
Back then, I did not know many biblical principles that would help me as I began my new career. Over time, I learned a few ideas that are well-grounded in Scripture and practical experience. I know God created us for a purpose, but it may change over time. A new career will be difficult, but know that God is present with you at work and He will provide all you need to serve effectively in your new role.
God created you for a purpose
First of all, we need to go back to Genesis for some foundational truths about God’s purposes for work. God created Adam and Eve in His image and called them to be His coworkers to sustain and expand His creation. In Genesis 1:28, we read the creation or cultural mandate: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” This was both a commandment and a blessing.
Could it be that God has such a purpose for you? What if He created you in His image, just like Adam and Eve, with just the right skills, aptitudes, strengths, gifts, and abilities to be able to accomplish a wide range of tasks that link directly to what He wants to be done in the world?
You may have thought you found God’s purpose in your previous career. For reasons known only to you and God, you have sensed that He may be calling you in a new direction. That is a good thing. It may very well be that God used you for His purposes in the previous chapter and now, He needs you to begin a new one. Some jobs and career fields are only for a season. If you sensed God moving you to a new field of work, a new Garden of Eden so to speak, you are doing well to proceed there.
God’s purpose may change over time
However, do not be surprised when God leads you in another direction. My own winding career path as a math teacher, in youth ministry, and with the U.S. Army is not as atypical as I had thought.
Lee Hardy, in his book The Fabric of this World observes, “Career paths are rarely straight. Typically they are afflicted by detours, unmarked intersections, forced exits, blind alleys, and cul-de-sacs.” I think it is wise to keep listening to what God says about your vocation. It may change over time.
Tom Nelson, in his outstanding book Work Matters wisely adds, “At soul level, we long to fulfill the purpose for which we have been created and placed in the world … While having a good deal of life mileage under your belt does add helpful perspective, I believe that at any stage of life, you can discern and live out your God-honoring vocational contribution in the world.”
“The main purpose of work is for God to meet the wide spectrum of human needs through what you do all day for His glory and Kingdom.”
It is important to keep in mind that this new career that you find yourself in is not merely for your own fulfillment because it is a better fit than your previous one. The main purpose of work is for God to meet the wide spectrum of human needs through what you do all day for His glory and Kingdom.
The new career will be unnecessarily difficult
Please be prepared. Just because God led you to start this new spiritual journey, does not mean it will be easy for you to navigate. On the contrary, you may be facing bigger challenges than ever.
One of the most important elements of the theology of work is the idea of thorns and thistles. We know from Genesis 3: 16-19 that God put a curse on work after Adam and Eve ate from the tree in the Garden of Eden. Their sin negatively impacted work for men and women. From that point forward, work for all would be unnecessarily hard. This will continue until Jesus returns (Romans 8:20-21). As you begin your new career, you will find that there are different kinds of thorns and thistles. Each career field has its own unique set of trials in addition to the ones that are common to all.
Probably the first anxiety-producing situation is meeting your new boss. Supervisors can differ in personality and approach in a variety of ways. This unpredictability makes it a huge challenge. I encourage those starting a new career to see their new boss as someone God has put in their path for a variety of purposes. You can learn from them as they provide good and bad examples of how to lead.
I cannot promise you that this new adventure that you have accepted as a divine appointment will be smooth sailing, especially at first. There will be dues to pay. You will have to play catch up with your peers who will undoubtedly have more experience than you. You may feel inadequate, which is good because it brings humility. God gives more grace. In our weakness, He provides strength for the task. If you find yourself in a situation that is less than ideal, you can always consider going back to the field you left. Or, you can persevere through your trials by faith, and expect God to do great things.
God is present with you at work
I gave you some relatively bad news in the last section. I have some really good news for you now.
Immanuel labor is a unique term that I came up with several years ago. It describes the biblical connection between God's presence and human work. Whenever God had a job for His people to do, He always seemed to mention that He would be with them, either before or after; sometimes both. (Examples include Moses in Exodus 3:10-12, Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:20, and Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:8,19).
The Joseph narrative is one of the best illustrations of this foundational concept. In Genesis 39:2, we read that God was with Joseph in his work. As a result, Joseph found success in all he did, and thus, Potiphar, his employer was blessed (Genesis 39:3-5). This was part 1 of Joseph’s three-part career in service to others. We see the same phrase in part 2. After Joseph was sent to prison unjustly, we read that “God was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:21-23). This time, it was the prison warden who was blessed. I don't think this is an isolated incident. I see a pattern. This is how God works through His chosen.
King David had a similar understanding and experience as Joseph with respect to God’s presence with him. In Psalm 139:7-12, David unpacks the unchanging divine attribute of God’s omnipresence. This was not an abstract concept. A quick glance at verse 10 helps us see that God’s presence with him was deeply felt. David declared, “your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Throughout my Army career, I had to change jobs every three years or so. I had to trust God during the assignment process. Understanding the sovereignty of God was a big help. He was always in control. Additionally, I knew that God was an all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, and faithful God. Although my next job assignment was in the hands of someone in Fort Knox, Kentucky, I knew that God had me in His bigger hands. He knew where I needed to go, what I needed to do, who I needed to serve with, and when it was the right time that He needed me to move again for His purposes.
Knowing that God is present with you as you transition into a new career can make all the difference You will initially feel all alone. You may not know a soul around you. You will need to sense God’s presence to be able to press on and learn new skills. Never forget that God is with you. Like Joseph, God’s presence at work will bring you success. God will bless your boss, coworkers, and customers.
Final thoughts
Whether you voluntarily chose to change careers or the choice to change careers was more or less made for you, you need to remember that God works all things out for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). God loves you and has great plans for you. He will use your failures as well as your successes, as He leads you into both of them as needed to increase your faith.
Also, recall that Jesus said the Father would provide all you need when you seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). I know that God has been, is now, and always will be present with you wherever He has called you to be. If you are at the beginning of your journey trying to get your foot in the door or are struggling in the middle part of life trying to decide whether you want to continue along the path you chose or step out in faith to explore other God-given interests, strengths, and passions, or are near the end of your career wanting to slow down the pace a bit to fulfill other callings outside the 9-5, God will lead you. He will give you wisdom when you ask for it in faith, and He will open doors for you.
Russell Gehrlein is the author of "Immanuel Labor - God's Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work." Russ is a former youth pastor and a junior/high school math and science teacher. In 2006, he retired from over 20 years active duty in the US Army in the rank of Master Sergeant. He currently works as a Department of the Army civilian at the US Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
You can read more of his work on his blog, “Reflections on Theological Topics of Interest”, at www.regehrlein.wordpress.com.
