Jessica is currently a Worship.Works graduate, and in this article, she shares her reflections about what she has learned through 5 months of experience on the programme.
Called For a Purpose
For some people, the thought of graduating from university and entering into the workplace is a really exciting prospect. However, for myself, the thought of not knowing what I wanted to do after university filled me with a lot of dread and anxiety.
If you had told me a year ago that I would be working in the pharmaceutical and global healthcare sector, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. After all, I had a degree in Theology not a Bachelor of Science. That being said, I really enjoy the work that I currently do and it goes to show that God’s plans and purposes are far greater than we can ever imagine. In this season, God has personally revealed to me that He has called me here for a purpose and that He truly qualifies the called.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” – Ephesians 3:20
Doubts and Imposter Syndrome
Moses is a perfect example of someone who was commissioned by God to do great things, but continually doubted himself and his capabilities. This nearly deterred him from the very mission God had assigned to his name.
In Exodus 3, God sends Moses back to Pharaoh to deliver the Israelites from captivity in Egypt. In verse 10, Moses turns to God and asks “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” Moses was unable to comprehend why, of all people, God would send him. Like Moses, I’ve often experienced imposter syndrome, where I too have doubted my own competency and abilities, often comparing myself to others who appeared more qualified than me.
While God does not directly answer Moses, He does promise Moses that He will be with him. The same promise given to Moses is true for you and me. God never asked Moses to face Pharaoh alone and neither will He abandon us.
Nonetheless, when we step into a completely new season of the unknown, it can be difficult to trust God. Like Moses, we might find ourselves thinking about all the different ways stepping out in faith could go wrong.
Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” – Exodus 4:1
Sometimes, like Moses, we can focus too much on the ‘what ifs’ rather than on the God who is. God can do more than we can possibly think or imagine.
After Moses asked this question, the Lord gently reminded Moses of the staff that he possesses and how it can be used to demonstrate God’s power at work through him. Yet, despite being reassured by God on multiple occasions, Moses continued to doubt himself and his capabilities.
Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” – Exodus 4:10
Once again, God comforted Moses by promising to be with him and speak through him. However, since Moses was still not convinced, God even sent Aaron to accompany him.
In this new season of starting a new job, God has been so faithful. God has been there every step of the way. In the same way that God reminded Moses of the staff he possesses, God has reminded me that I also possess unique gifts that can be used for the greater glory of God. Similarly to Moses, God has also sent people into my life, like Aaron, who have journeyed with me and invested time into training me so that I may feel more equipped when stepping into my calling.
Learning to Trust God
I have learned that God often doesn’t reveal His entire plan for us, because if he did we would likely be paralysed by fear. God’s plans may push us to step out of our comfort zone and sometimes we may not understand the direction in which He is leading us.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Trusting in the Lord often involves letting go of our desire to be in control and leaning on Jesus, rather than on our own understanding.
At work, one way that I have chosen to trust God is in scoping calls with potential future clients. By praying ‘Your will be done’ before these calls and asking God to only lead me to clients He wants us to work with, I surrender my control over future projects in the pipeline. By trusting that God has planned good works in advance for me to do, then I can be at peace that God will provide the right opportunities and projects. While trusting God is risky, it is worth it.
Collaborating with God
The beautiful reality is that we don’t have to do this life alone. We can invite God into each moment. The more I’ve leaned on Jesus, the more I’ve realised that in my weakness God is my strength.
At work, we have an incredible opportunity to co-create with God. We don’t have to labour on our own. Rather, we get to co-labour with Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and empower us. As a data analyst, a practical way that I’ve invited God into my work is through asking the Holy Spirit to lead me to insights in data, perhaps even to insights I may have missed! When we intentionally choose to partner with God, we are able to bear more fruit than if we were to labour in our own strength.
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Through practically serving my team and clients, I also love and serve God. It could be as little as praying a blessing over a client before sending them an email or offering to help a team member with a task, like taking the bins out or unstacking the dishwasher.
Let us be encouraged that we can offer each moment to God as worship because nothing ever given to God is ever wasted. When we truly understand this, our attitude to work completely shifts. Work is sanctified and it is a joy.
As I continue to collaborate with God at work, I look forward to seeing how God will lead me to discover new insights that will be valuable to my clients. I expect that God will also continue to prompt me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. In those moments, I know that I can trust in the Lord because He has proven to me that He is faithful and that He truly does work through our weaknesses.