For a couple years now, I’ve been bothered by the fact that my job is entirely secular in nature.  The closer I grow in my faith, the more I feel like my talents are being wasted or that I’m missing out on my true calling.

On the other hand, I do enjoy my job for the most part; and I’m good at it.  I also realize that every moment I spend with a non-Christian is a chance to help them come to know the Lord, and I do encounter many people on a daily basis that I may or may not be able to help.  The work that I do on computers is certainly not helping the case for Christ, but maybe the relationships I foster in the process does.

So where does that leave me?

To complicate the matter, I’m a partner in a small business.  I get along great with my two partners, but religion has been a topic mostly avoided with some minor exceptions.  They, along with many others I’ve met, have serious reservations about organized religion.  The problem is that if I evangelize at work, then I run a couple major risks.  First, I risk the possibility of fracturing the good working relationship we have as partners by somehow unintentionally offending them or having them think I’m crazy.  On the flip side, if I discuss religion with clients, I risk losing their business in a worst case scenario.  If I were in business for myself, I could deal with losing a client because of issues of faith or differences in opinion, but wouldn’t it be irresponsible of me to do that to my partners?

I’m sure that if I’m very careful and faithful, I’d be able to successfully minister to my colleagues and clients without damaging my company.  Also, I can display my love, compassion, and faithfulness at work without actually evangelizing.  Maybe somebody will be affected by my faith enough that they will ask me about it.  Clearly that’s something to which I aspire.

Is all of that enough?

I know there are other opportunities for me to do my part in “The Great Commission” apart from my job.  I can share my faith with my kids, family, and friends.  I can participate in mission projects at church.  I can write in this blog.  Those are all things I can do, but that brings me back to work.  I’m just having a hard time coming to terms with “wasting my time” working on computers when I could more effectively spend that time ministering to God’s people.  I feel like I need to use all of the abilities that God gave me, and I hope there’s a way for me to do that professionally.

If I do decide to take up a career in ministry, there are further complications.  I can’t just walk away from the business that I partially own.  There are debts to be paid and responsibilities to uphold that likely only time can resolve.  There’s also the issue of providing for my family while I make the transition into ministry.  The likeliest scenario I can envision is taking online seminary courses while maintaining my role in my company.  Is that practical?  Will it work?  Will it take too long?

I’ll be looking to the Lord for the answer, and I pray that I’ll be able to correctly discern God’s will for me.