Hearing God for Career Growth
When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” … Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.” (Zech 6:7-8)
We continue our study of the Book of Zechariah: In the eight night visions of Zechariah is a consistent and harmonious message about God’s love and care for His people, particularly Judah. Although the Temple Rebuilding Project had stalled, and the complete restoration of the kingdom of Judah was not at all in sight, and the discouragement of resignation of the Jews was rife, God now speaks powerfully both about His people and about their enemies. This assurance of God’s love, care and promise to restore and rebuild His people is relevant to us today, and we need to hear God speak. Careers, businesses and jobs have been shaken by shocks like COVID-19 or by changing markets and technologies, but God has a word for us.
In the eighth vision recorded in Zech 6:1-8, there are horses similar to the ones seen in the first vision; these horses also go out for an inspection exercise – the patrol the earth in the north and south. From these two directions always came the enemies of God’s people from time to time: the Assyrians, Babylonians and Seleucids came from the North, while the Egyptians came from the South. No enemies came from the East because there was a harsh desert that could hardly be traversed, or from the West where the vast Mediterranean Sea is the boundary. There is a clear message about judgment against nations that inflicted pain and suffering on God’s people, and only the will God’s Spirit be at rest (verse 8).
Inspecting Careers: Are you wondering what God is saying about your career: Which direction to take, or how to diversify, or even how to start? Lessons from today’s reading could help you incline your ear to hear better what God is saying. First, it is important to know that God is very concerned about our careers, and He will demand due accountability for the talents, gifts, learning and resources He has given to you. The mandate to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue and rule over every living thing (Gen 1:28) squarely places demands on career growth and development, to be good stewards. More so, in the prayer “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10), we set a test for career growth: Does your career growth foster God’s kingdom or build His people according to His will? That is the test. In considering our careers from the God-mandate and stewardship point of view, it is possible to hear God speak.
The horses are inspecting both nations and careers, and God’s Spirit will only be at rest of these work for the welfare of His people and the glory of His Name.
God bless you all.