Square Pegs and Round Holes

“God is glorified when we serve Him in our proper vocations.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the vocations in which God can be glorified…

Doctor, lawyer, professional educator, truck driver, auto mechanic, plumber, sales representative, pharmacist, veterinarian, electrician, correctional officer, fire fighter, EMT, waitress, photographer, wedding planner, cashier, forklift operator, miner, commercial fisherman, professional athlete, registered nurse, airline pilot, and florist.

Hopefully, you get the point that both Charles Spurgeon and I are trying to make. Simply put, God is glorified when you serve Him in the profession where He has called and equipped you to serve. On the flipside, operating outside of your area of giftedness makes it more difficult to serve Him effectively.

Let me give you a personal example…

From 1983 to 1993, I served as the Director of Recreation at the Wiley Christian Retirement Community in Marlton, NJ. My position also required me to oversee the organization’s development and volunteer programs.

Five weeks after being hired as a part-time Activities Assistant, I was promoted to full-time department head. Shortly thereafter, my boss approached me with a tempting proposition. Basically, he offered me the opportunity to study to become a nursing home administrator… and at the company’s expense! He made the same offer to his younger brother and we both said yes. After all, becoming a nursing home administrator promised job and financial security for the rest of my life.

However, the more I thought (and prayed) about it, the more I became convinced that God had other plans for my life. And so, I went back to my boss, thanked him for his extremely generous offer, but politely declined. As a result, I spent the next decade organizing overnight trips for the residents, raising money for the facility through special events and direct mail campaigns, and supervising a small staff and hundreds of volunteers.

That experience – and those skills – have served me well during my 35-year prison ministry career, which has been my true calling.

It’s always better to “bloom where you’re planted” than to try pounding a square peg into a round hole. God knows best… after all, He created you… and no vocation is more inherently spiritual than another.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel… I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!” Exodus 31:1-5 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President