Christianity: A Brief Meditation on Deciding What to do With One's Life

The Book of Genesis shows us that our "natural habitat" is to be in relationship with God, to be with others we love, and to tend the garden of His creation (Gen 2:15). We are often told by Christian teachers that we are made to be in community with God, which is true, but not often enough taught that we are designed to work in the world, to tend to it so that it reflects its creator's designs and purposes. For a garden is not self sufficient--plants must be pruned, weeds pulled, seeds planted and the like (nod to R. Zacharias for that insight regarding a garden). We have been created to work, and to make the world better--to maintain or (more accurately in light of the fall) restore God's design for the world. Since the fall, our work is difficult and prone to frustration in a fallen world. (Gen 3:17). Yet, we are designed to tend to God's garden, in his presence (Gen 3:8), and in community (Gen 2:18).

I believe that there comes a time in each person's life when they have to decide how they will change to world, and present Christ to the world around them in word and deed. We have been made to do so, because we are created in the image of God. As Dorothy Sayers points out, we often think of that as being spiritual or rational beings. However, God is presented to us in Genesis as the creator. We are creative beings, and designed to manifest what is within us into the world around us, for good or ill. If God and goodness (Christlikeness) are the "stuff" that is in us, that is what will be manifest. That is also why it is important to know ourselves. What talents and passions are in us, and what are the things we can do where that stuff can be manifested? Certain stuff is more fully and truly manifested in certain environments and endeavors. A great songwriter who spends all her time as an accountant will not manifest her gift in the world around her, and thus that gift will not transform the world in power.

A final point is that the decision of what to do in life must be made using practical wisdom. We have to be mindful of the work, difficulties, sacrifices, and likely results of the decisions we make. To restore a garden takes hard work, so we must think through the likely costs, and need to have the passion to pay those costs. What a privilege it is to be able to count that cost. So many people have to work simply to eat, and do whatever is set before them. God has given us a great gift, and to whom much is given, much is required. Let us set about figuring what it is we are to do with seriousness, effort and joy. And let us pray for the strength to follow through on our calling and for God's blessings to make it fruitful.