What I Want My Kids to Be When They Grow Up

Living the Mandate Now

Think about a job. Any job. I’ll throw out a few examples:

Doctor, lawyer, electrician, counselor, pastor, nurse, artist, teacher, supervisor, burger-flipper, architect, writer, librarian, construction worker, farmer, banker, photographer, government official . . .

How many of our institutions were created as an answer to sin? Have you ever thought of it that way? In each task, job, and career, a person either reflects or works to restore the shalom of God:

• Medicine—fighting the curse of death, pursuing physical health;
• Government and Law—pursuing justice; providing oversight and protection to a nation, state, local area.
• Education—fighting sloth and ignorance, pursuing order, wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to serve others with excellence in a given field
• Public Defenders—defending the powerless, pursuing justice;
• Science—fighting the destructive tendencies of the earth by learning how its forces work, harnessing its power for productive use, putting the world in order;
• Counseling—fighting for emotional and relational health;
• Pastoring—communicating the Truth, fighting for spiritual health;
• Artistry—reflecting beauty, sharing in God’s creative endeavor, whether through the pen, the pencil, the brush, the hands;
• Farming—fighting the curse to feed the family and the world, stewarding the fruits of the ground and creatures;
• Business—stewarding workers to fulfill their potential and provide needed services to their communities.

How each person pursues his or her work determines how well that work reflects or restores the image of God. Any person in any career can use power and position for selfish purposes. We all have that sinful, selfish bent. But God—in his Spirit, with his strength, under his guidance and wisdom—may God’s people use their divinely-given talents, personalities, resources, and strengths to reflect his image more fully.

So, kids . . .

You want to be an architect? Work hard to learn the craft, deal honestly with your colleagues, draft with excellence, and build beautiful buildings for honorable purposes.

You want to be a lawyer? Study hard, trust God to guide you, defend the righteous, fight evil, argue your defense with passion, keep your integrity.

You want to be a teacher? Know your subject, study long and hard, learn the craft, love your students, remember that all truth is God’s truth.

You want to be a policeman? Remember that you are one of the good guys, be ready to imitate your Lord by laying down your life, stay strong and smart, seek justice in all things.

Worship your God in your daily work, no matter how tedious, insignificant, or meaningless it might seem. And, remember as you march steadily on and into your callings, that, “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. . . (Col. 1:9–11).

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23–24).