WoW - Becoming a Master

 

My darlings,

To start I will say, may the Great Lord above bless your grandparents.  Through college and our 20's, both your aunt and I were tempted to leave our intended career fields to pursue other paths.  I will start by saying this is 100% A-OK in certain circumstances.  The problem is, sometimes with collegiate ministries they want you to take time away from your major or career field to help with the ministry for a year (or longer).  After spending four+ years of college pursuing a specific field, it's difficult for me, especially as parent now, to find peace with this, after the expense and work that goes into those four years.  

Besides this, in my experience at least, I had a deep desire to try to fix the world - in some corner, in some way.  Your grandparents had to always draw me back to reality, reminding me that there is opportunity to do this throughout life, not just as a starry-eyed twenty-something.  

The reality is this: when you are in your twenties, you have something to give: unbridled enthusiasm, the ability to face more physical discomfort, and less ties to familial and professional obligations.  But just as or perhaps more importantly are the skills an older individual can provide who has been trained for decades in a specialized field, be it physical therapy, architecture, engineering, medicine, plumbing, or what not.  I'm thinking mainly in terms of helping outside of the U.S., such as the Peace Corps or ministries like EMI.  It's not as glamorous and romantic perhaps to think of balancing a U.S.-based career with occasional ministry work, but just know that it is very valuable to work consistently to become a master in your field.  Stay focused, work hard, have intent of sharing your talents, and only the Lord knows what impact that can have on the right people in this ever-changing, needy world.

May the Lord bless you with inspiration to remain steady on a specific career, allow you to veer at just the right time to serve Him wholeheartedly as He desires.  May you be fulfilled in the balance provided in your life, whether called to full-time ministry at age 18, 35, or 65, and all the ways you can be faithful until then.  May the journey itself be full of humility, learning, perseverance, grit, and determination to become all He has in store for your life.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. - Colossians 3:23