February 15, 2011 | Missions (General)

Are You Unemployed if Not Working for God?

As a short-term missions organization, we often minister with people who are torn between their careers and a calling to missions. For some, the calling came later in life — once they had a house and a family and a job. For others, the prospect of full-time mission work is intimidating. How does one begin exploring such a calling?

I came across this interesting article on the Christian Post that addresses this issue. Here is an excerpt:

As far as God is concerned, someone is unemployed if the person is not
working for Him, said a Latin American mission leader at a global
missions conference in Tokyo.

Many people argue that they have a job and have plenty of work, said
Obed Alvarez, international director of the New World Mission
Association in Peru. However, the landowner (God) is calling those
standing idle to work for him, he pointed out as he read from Matthew 20
about the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

“We should understand that all are unemployed if we are not living
out God’s plan for us,” said Alvarez at the Tokyo 2010 Global Missions
Consultations this week. “It doesn’t matter if you are a doctor, a
senator or the president, you will always be idle as far as He is
concerned if you don’t have a part in missions.”

Those are challenging words, to say the least. However, what do we with that — this idea that if are not working for God, then we are, in God’s eyes, “unemployed”?

I suggest beginning with a short-term missions trip. Whether you’re called to China or Chicago, one of the best ways to get a vision for God’s purpose for your life is to step away from your everyday life and immerse yourself into a new culture where you can serve someone else. Such an opportunity allows you to connect with God in a fresh way and refocus on what’s important, getting a clearer understanding of what the Lord wants to do with you.

If you’re not sure where to begin, check out the following: