So the LG recently did a study on Philippians. I decided to be prepared and read the backstory in my Halley's Bible commentary book... and in that section, it briefly mentioned that Paul worked as a tentmaker. It listed two references to support that... one was Acts 18:3 (above), and the other simply stated that Paul worked to support himself rather than asking the church to support him... so that no one would misjudge his motives in preaching. Brilliant.
This little anecdote was such a wakeup call to me!! Those who know me well know that for years now, I have worked as a court reporter, and have struggled with the feeling that I should be doing something else... a vague but continual feeling of pressure and insignificance. Part of my goal in taking this ten-week break was to seek God on what I am supposed to do with my life. And God has used this verse to speak to me on that...
One verse... in ALL the verses and books of Scripture written by or about Paul, only one verse refers specifically to what he did for a living. He had an ordinary job, something that allowed him to move from place to place and support himself as he went about his PURPOSE of sharing Christ. This proves, A, that what he did for a living was NOT what made his life significant! And, B, that your life purpose and your job do not have to be connected, and for the sake of having pure motives and having others be receptive to what you say, it may be better that they are not connected.
Seriously, whenever Paul is mentioned, I doubt anyone thinks to themselves, "Oh, you mean the tentmaker?" No, no, the man who brought the gospel to the gentiles and wrote over half of the New Testament, who built and encouraged and strengthened the early church, whose life was so radically changed when Christ appeared to him that "to live was Christ, and to die was gain!"
He supported himself by working as a tentmaker. He didn't sit around feeling insignificant or waiting on a church position to open up. He spent the rest of his time preaching and befriending those who were hurting or lost, teaching spiritual maturity to Christians and building up the church, writing heartfelt letters that spoke the truth in love, and staying full of JOY in Christ no matter what he suffered. His life was a powerful example because of his love and devotion to Christ, because his "determined purpose" was "to know Him and the power of His resurrection!" Not because of his career choice.
So I'm coming to terms with something I should have realized a long time ago... that life is really, reeeeally not about me. It's not about my job title or how people view me or bringing glory to myself. It is not about my weight or beauty or job, not about me feeling significant based on anything external. It is about CHRIST. It is about knowing Him and staying connected to Him. And it is about LOVE. And when I lose sight of myself and focus on Him, that is the only thing that will give my life true significance and power, and it gives me the ability to have joy and peace and walk in love wherever I go. I am not saying that I will definitely never work in ministry, but I am saying that I will not fret about it anymore or attempt to force the door open myself, and that I don't have to wait for that to start making a difference in the world around me.
"Lindsey supported herself by working as a court reporter." One small sentence in my life story. Time to make the most of the rest of the book!! :)
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