Place in this World

[imperfectchristian]

"I have climbed highest mountains, I have run through the fields only to be with you..." - U2 lyric

I currently work for a government contractor making
great money, and I do very little of anything.

I am basically in a state of discontentment.

Like so many others, this is the story of my life.

I know I am spoiled to a loving family and a good paying job.

My uncle told me once..."no matter what you do...everything becomes a job after awhile."

I suppose I have spent most of my working life struggling to accept this, and hence bouncing from job to job with no real career.

I can't find the inner drive/inspiration inside myself to finish college or even if I did, which direction I would want to go in.

This is a real problem for me. I stay with a job for a little while (a year or so usually) until it loses its newness and then I move on to something else.

How do I overcome this?

My wife is currently in school to become a teacher, and I am in awe that she stays with it, not ever changing her mind/major.

I asked her how she does it and she says that she just made up her mind that that is what she was going to do and she is doing it.

I have tried to do the same thing before, but it seems to only prolong the inevitable. Truth is, I am indecisive.

Ironically, I have a wife and three children. The only reason I can see that I am able to keep those commitments is because of the strong love I have for them.

I have yet to find a career I am passionate about or that I do not quickly lose my passion for.

I have taken every career finder test I can find, talk to numerous people, tried out different subjects and jobs, etc....

Some careers I still feel drawn to like counseling, but I can't find the commitment inside myself to pick a direction and go with it guns blazing.

If there is a psychological disorder for what I am experiencing then I am pretty certain I qualify for diagnosis.

Anyone have any advice? I would really appreciate it.

 

[Anti Existance]

My uncle told me once..."no matter what you do...everything becomes a job after awhile."

You know there's definitly truth in it, and that is why you are struggling, but i tell you this.

No matter what job you do, make sure it is about helping other people.

This because the meaning of life is to love and help other people, which is why we are here on earth to bring love and light into this world filled with darkness and hatred, this is the actual job God requests us to do (by our own free will) to please God.

God, or rather Gods angels have requested me to forfill my life and become a doctor, although i do have the skills, i am very hesitant. You may go into the same field , but it will be the absolute flip side of what you are doing now, its a stressfull job, with long and very weird hours, but you will be doing what God wants you to do, which is basically the most important thing.

When you die you want to present God all the good deeds you have done, and not some image of a person laying back over doing nothing and getting paid for it.

You'll get that micheal jackson's man in the mirror song in your head , to make a difference in favor of serving God.

But personally i am the lowest of lower then low, because i don't follow up the words that i say, somehow im only good at telling others what to do in their lives. Become a doctor and be forfilled.

 

[imperfectchristian]

You know there's definitly truth in it, and that is why you are struggling, but i tell you this.

No matter what job you do, make sure it is about helping other people.

This because the meaning of life is to love and help other people, which is why we are here on earth to bring love and light into this world filled with darkness and hatred, this is the actual job God requests us to do (by our own free will) to please God.

God, or rather Gods angels have requested me to forfill my life and become a doctor, although i do have the skills, i am very hesitant. You may go into the same field , but it will be the absolute flip side of what you are doing now, its a stressfull job, with long and very weird hours, but you will be doing what God wants you to do, which is basically the most important thing.

When you die you want to present God all the good deeds you have done, and not some image of a person laying back over doing nothing and getting paid for it.

You'll get that micheal jackson's man in the mirror song in your head , to make a difference in favor of serving God.

But personally i am the lowest of lower then low, because i don't follow up the words that i say, somehow im only good at telling others what to do in their lives. Become a doctor and be forfilled.

Very good post. There is alot of truth to that. The ironic thing is, many people you help, end up hating you or despising you.

 

[Anti Existance]

Very good post. There is alot of truth to that. The ironic thing is, many people you help, end up hating you or despising you.

Lol, they say no good deed goes unpunished. Which is definitly true at some times. But we know we are doing it for our lord,which eventually is a good cause.

 

[UnitynLove]

I would suggest finding a passion in what you really want to do. I don't believe your uncle because if you do something you love you will be fufilled. Although somedays you may get tired, its that drive of fufillment that pushes you along.

 

[Buttermilk]

"....but I still haven't found what I'm looking for" - U2 lyric

I think that probably applies to most if not all of us.

What sort of things are you really interested in? What about hobbies and other interests outside work? Can you find some sort of employment related to it? Is there some business idea you could start yourself?

 

[madison1101]

George Burns was known to say "Find something you love to do, and you will never work another day in your life."

I have two careers. One I hate. One I love. I worked many hours this past summer at the one I love and felt so satisfied and didn't feel like I was working. It energized me. I don't get that feeling at my regular job.

Pray and seek the Lord for this issue in your life. God has a purpose for you. Ask Him what it is, and He will show you.

I love "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I recommend you give it a read.

God Bless.

Trish

 

[plmarquette]

wood - hay - stubble ... journey v's sivler , gold , jewels

.... some times it is the time of life , midlife crisis ?? is this all there is ?? ; this time of year I've little to do , but have to sit and do it to get paid ... I know it stinks and at 55 , it is a bit late to switch horses ..

so some times I post here to make peace , explain , encourage, exhort ... sowing seed , that in due season I might reap ...

I write a weekly letter and send out 50 copies , go into the local county jail 2+ days a week to teach the bible , make little jesus cards ( cartoon and bible verse on a business card ) ... some thing for/ of the kingdom -- James chapt 2 faith + works of/for the kingdom

what about writing letters to inmates , visiting jails , hospitals , nursing homes Mat 25.32-42

what about partnering with a minister/ministry Mat. 10.38-42

 

[Reborn_in_Christ]

t1wg1 I was at much the same cross roads about a two years ago. I started college as an engineering major at a school that was predominatly engineering. For as long as I could remember I just "knew" I was going to be an engineer. Well college started up and immediately a number of events sent my spinning emotionally. When the dust settled I found myself getting very bored with my engineering courses. They all seemed rather trival to me. I constantly asked myself, "where is all this going?" and "in the end is this going to matter". On top of that I was beginning to realize that my skills were lacking. In highschool it had never been a problem but when I got to college I was falling flat on my face. I'm sure many people that went to college can attest to this. Anyways, I decided that I was sick and tired of being at the bottom gasping for air. I was spending all this time and money and might end up with a career that I didn't like at all. So I asked myself some very tough questions about what it was that I was actually good at as compared to what I was trying to do. It turned out that God was pushing me toward Counseling. Maybe similar to how you're feeling now. So I changed my major and realized that all my friends that I'd had classes with that were engineering majors, simply didn't relate to me anymore. I went from the most popular major on campus to probably the newest and smallest one. So I then changed schools the next semester. Since my change I have felt a peace about what I'm doing. Something I didn't have before. So my suggestion to you is to try the same thing that I did. Think about what it is you love. What it is that satifies you from day to day. Doesn't even have to be career related. In my case it was helping people. Ergo why I changed to psychology for counseling.

 

[imperfectchristian]

t1wg1 I was at much the same cross roads about a two years ago. I started college as an engineering major at a school that was predominatly engineering. For as long as I could remember I just "knew" I was going to be an engineer. Well college started up and immediately a number of events sent my spinning emotionally. When the dust settled I found myself getting very bored with my engineering courses. They all seemed rather trival to me. I constantly asked myself, "where is all this going?" and "in the end is this going to matter". On top of that I was beginning to realize that my skills were lacking. In highschool it had never been a problem but when I got to college I was falling flat on my face. I'm sure many people that went to college can attest to this. Anyways, I decided that I was sick and tired of being at the bottom gasping for air. I was spending all this time and money and might end up with a career that I didn't like at all. So I asked myself some very tough questions about what it was that I was actually good at as compared to what I was trying to do. It turned out that God was pushing me toward Counseling. Maybe similar to how you're feeling now. So I changed my major and realized that all my friends that I'd had classes with that were engineering majors, simply didn't relate to me anymore. I went from the most popular major on campus to probably the newest and smallest one. So I then changed schools the next semester. Since my change I have felt a peace about what I'm doing. Something I didn't have before. So my suggestion to you is to try the same thing that I did. Think about what it is you love. What it is that satifies you from day to day. Doesn't even have to be career related. In my case it was helping people. Ergo why I changed to psychology for counseling.

An excellent post...in fact all of these have been excellent posts.

Since I posted this OP, many things have changed. I got fired from my high paying job and for reasons I cannot explain I feel so much better.

This has been one in a series of events that I believe has been God leading me to finally accept the calling on my life. I have finally accepted it and accepted the responibility I have to live a life of example to others.

I am not overcome with emotion, but rather I have a deep sense of knowing that I am in the process of doing what God has put in my heart to do.

This has been the most helpful thread I have ever participated in and I thank all of you for taking the time out to give me sincere, kind and thoughtful answers.

I would appreciate anyone who would be willing to pray for me. Thanks you and may God bless you.

 

[Buttermilk]

for you

What sort of things are you planning to do?

 

[imperfectchristian]

for you

What sort of things are you planning to do?

I am going into the music ministry. Please pray that God will open the doors He wants me to walk through and close those He does not want me to walk through.

It will not be an overnight occurence of course, I still I have to work another two years to put my wife through school, and right now I am working 7 days a week.

Please pray that God will allow me to work a job that has regular hours, so I will have time to work with a church and possibly with form group. Not to mention, it would give me more time with my children.

Thank you in advance for your prayers

 

[lowlow]

So what are you doing now? Are you still indecisive? After all, you are the decider, no one else can do that for you.

 

[imperfectchristian]

Just let everyone know who prayed and encouraged me...I am now a ful time music pastor and I love it. There are still struggles, but they are different than what I was experiencing before.

It is so good to know that Jesus is there to uphold me and pick me up when I fall.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.

 

[Buttermilk]

 

[UnitynLove]

Bless God! Hallejah! Gorly be to Jesus who is soooo faithful