Divine Work?

Work. In the corporate world, the world of work, it is okay to give over 100%. It's okay to take on extra projects, work long hours, it's okay to jockey and position yourself for "greatness". It's okay to ambitiously pursue the top job. It's okay to sort of "stack-the-deck" in your favor, to move up the career ladder.

But, what about "spiritual" work? Is the work of pastor, evangelist, Bible teacher, any different? For people who feel "called" to this ministry, should they pursue it with as much vigor and ambition as a "secular" job? Or should they simply "wait for God to open the door"? After all, ministry isn't just a job it is a calling, right? Is it not a "divine apointment"?

As Christians shouldn't we all be called to our work or jobs? As followers of Christ, isn't all our work "divinely appointed"?

Why do we feel like it's okay to go out of our way to increase in our careers, but not in our effectiveness for ministry? When it comes to this kind of thing more often than not we simply have the attitude that we leave everything to God. But, in our careers we take things into our own hands. We "help" God get us to where He wants us to be.

How much more productive could we, as Christians be, if we were to invest the same amount of time and energy that goes into developing our careers, and increasing our paychecks as we do in developing our ministry effectiveness and spheres of influence.

What is the answer?