By Gary Andrews
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After spending many years in the print media business, I was asked by my wife of over 40 years, what I wanted to do when I grow up. This is a very thought provoking question especially when you have had a very successful career, a tremendous marriage, beautiful and loving children, and made many friends throughout the places you have been and lived. Would I change any of this? No.
The Lord has truly blessed me and my family and given us a very good life; however this question looms over me about what I want to do when I grow up. When I was a youngster I only had one quest in mind and that was to be a professional baseball player. As this dream faded I had visions of being an electrical engineer, and then shifted to coach and math teacher, then even possibly a career in the military. I had many and varied options and the Lord led me into a profession I had never dreamed of.
When I was younger I disliked reading or writing and ended up doing this for a profession. Even as I left the military I had visions of being a computer analyst. I went to college and got a degree in computer science, however the desire I had was with a wrong motive because I could see dollar signs all over this career. My dreams changed significantly from childhood of doing what I loved to doing something for financial gain. I am so glad the Lord knew what I needed to do.
I am not alone in these dreams. I hear people say if I could only go back and do what I wanted to do. I really have to ask the question, “Would you really go back and change your lifestyle and job?” Some would actually answer “yes” and I feel this would be by people who are unhappy or that haven’t been happy in what they have chosen for a career.
When I was a child of 12 years old I asked Jesus to come into my heart and lead my life. When my wife and I got married the first thing we did was to ask Jesus to be the head of our household. Jesus has never let us down. As I look back over my life the only times I remember difficultly was the times I took my eyes off of the Lord and tried to do things my way.
To answer the question that my wife asked me, I would have to say I want to do what Jesus wants me to do. For me to do this I will continue to study His Word and talk to Him on a daily basis. It would be my hope that the people of this world would come to the realization we are on this earth because Jesus allowed us to be. It doesn’t matter what our situation is or has been, we need to look to Him for continued guidance and trust in Him for our future.
It is my sincere hope that you are complete in Jesus. I hope that you will ask Him for forgiveness of anything you may be ashamed of in the past and look to Him for guidance in your future endeavors. Jesus may not lead where we think we should be, but He will lead us in the right direction if we will follow Him.
(Prayer: Thank you Lord for guiding my life, my marriage, and my career. I give you all the praise and glory for what these have been. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Genesis 11:1-9; Monday – Luke 22:24-38; Tuesday – Proverbs 10:1-10; Wednesday – Ephesians 5:15-17; Thursday – Jeremiah 45:1-5; Friday – James 4:13-17; Saturday – Ecclesiastes 7:29.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com