I have something to say. It's going to sound a tad bitter... a little angry ... and a bit harsh. You see- I am frustrated. A girl (we'll refer to her as "Charlotte") recently asked a brother-like-friend of mine, "You don't really consider that a real job, do you?". She said this in response to him expressing his desire to do "youth ministry" for the rest of his life. What she asked was "What do you want to do with your life?". He answered honestly. He wants to do exactly what he has been created to do- only to be shot down by a girl who really wanted to know "How do you plan on paying your bills when you're done with school?", "In what corporation do you want to be successful?", "Where will you be striving to 'raise to the top'?", "How much money do you want to make?" A little background on Charlotte might help here. She has been raised in this hideously wealthy area with the pressures of having a ridiculously high income for most of her life. She is also the type of girl who constantly refers to her job as- and I quote- "a big person job" and when she's feeling humble, "a real job".Way to kick a guy right where it counts, Charlotte! He just gave you an honest answer about what he wants to do with his life! He just showed you a part of who he is and Who he serves. He just showed you his priorities. Perhaps he does consider it a job- something he can do and still provide for a family. Perhaps he does. So what!? You're going to laugh and make him feel insecure about having that kind of faith?! Really?! Where are your priorities, Charlotte?! Did you ever stop to think that a person's job might not be a reflection of their success or stability in life? Did you ever stop to think of the value of ministers who do not see what they do as a "job"? Did you ever stop to think that it might not be too healthy to consider your "life" your "job"?! Did you ever stop to think that you could have had a man who prioritizes God's expectations of his life over man's expectations of his life?!
Needless to say, "Charlotte" lost my approval as a future mate for this friend.
Our purpose in life is more than our jobs. Just because my friend chooses to not take jobs that will get in the way of his desire to do youth ministry doesn't make him less of a man or unsuccessful; and it most certainly doesn't mean he is working a "small person job". To me, it means he has his priorities in line. So, Charlotte, you can just stay in your big corporate world and find someone who is on the same important page as you are.
1 comment:
Charlotte lost my approval and I think she needs to do a brake check. Who in the heck does she think she is? At least your friend knows what his calling is and has the guts to pursue it without hiding behind the misery of working a corporate sell out job that he knows will never bring him as much joy. Charlotte needed a youth minister long ago, or a nice and understanding role model.
Sorry, that was harsh of me. I'm just protective of people that are honest and honorable.
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