Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” Mark 6:1-3 NLT
This is a special section of the gospel to me. We hear the account of someone just falling into a tremendous job opportunity. Or we hear about the one who goes to school, crosses every t and dots every I, and then is recruited for their dream job. I remember hearing those stories, fantasizing about how my life might work. The problem was that my dream job was one I had only seen men do. I felt called to be a pastor in a local church. I knew one female evangelist and numerous women missionary teachers and nurses. Often, I was given the suggestion that perhaps that was what I was intended to do.
I kept quiet about my dream to be and do what I saw my pastor-father do. I loved to accompany him on visitation, singing to shut-ins, occasionally being asked to pray with them. I helped file and do things in his office even when I was quite small. I helped my mother prepare missionary lessons for our children’s ministry and started coming home from college as a volunteer to lead the “junior church ministries.” After graduation, I married a young man who had been called to ministry in our first year of college. He was immediately offered several positions, but my work opportunities were in housecleaning, factory, and hospital work. We had the same degrees, but he went directly to being a pastor.
I was happy for Charlie. He gave me every opportunity and open door he possibly could. I was glad to serve with him, supporting him as needed for many years. In 1996, 22 years after we were married, I got my shot. I was appointed pastor of the church he had pastored for 18 years. The church requested me, but the conference leadership was reluctant. There had been no prior female pastors, so they questioned my capability and delayed my appointment.
This account from the life of Jesus encouraged me all the way through. Jesus worked hard and capably as a carpenter, manual labor, doing all kinds of other things as necessary. He was trained by Joseph, His earthly father, and when Joseph died, Jesus took over the family business. Can you imagine His thoughts as He did the menial things that went with it, when He knew what He was called and sent to do? But everything He learned as He was a trainee and a carpenter, every responsibility at home, taught Him obedience and submission (Luke 2:52). It served Him well when He got to where He was going. The same for me. Every single job I had prepared me for my ultimate work. Don’t despair over where you are right now. Even if it is not your dream job, do your best and know that God is preparing you by what you learn on the way.
- Thank God for His hand on your life right now. Do your best where you are and trust that He is teaching you for your future. Learn all you can.