23 Nov Academics and Career: A Gateway to Your Calling and Purpose in Life

Student life in a college/university is probably the best part of one’s life. It is the gateway to explore and pursue new subject areas, new skills, all in a flexible environment compared to the inflexible school environment. Unfortunately, this is also a time when one is easily led astray into wrong habits, influences and ideologies. In such an environment, how does a Christian student bloom and accomplish all that God has in store for his/her academics and career?

The word career means ‘a job or profession that somebody has been trained for and does for a long time’. Unfortunately, today most careers are chosen merely for the ‘pay package’ they offer. Christian students too are influenced by this peer pressure. In such an environment, what Christian principles and strategies can we apply in choosing and pursuing one’s academics and career? The Apostle Paul warned the Christians in Rome: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

As a Christian student, one should always be confident that God has a plan and purpose for your life. God’s Spirit resides in you and He is keen to guide you in the right path.  We have excellent examples in the Bible of people whose life and profession brought glory to God. Three such men were Daniel, Nehemiah and Joseph. All these three men worked under pagan kings, but they were excellent in their profession. Their masters were able to see the secret of their lives as their love for God and a deep desire to please God in all that they did.

When we study their lives, a few spiritual and personal qualities stand out – their strong dependence on God, their faithfulness in all that was entrusted to them, and their desire to see God’s name glorified. We see Nehemiah spending time in prayer and also doing meticulous planning for the preparations and finally the work to be carried out for building the walls of Jerusalem. When we examine the life of Daniel we find that “… they (the fellow administrators and satraps) could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Dan 6:4). That is an outstanding testimony coming from his rivals. About Joseph the Pharaoh said, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God … Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you” (Gen 41:38,39).

Let us briefly look at a few qualities that is vital for a Christian student to fulfil God’s plans in his/her studies.

Discipline: One of the major temptations for a Christian student is to take his/her studies very casually.  This is one of the reasons why a good number of our EU students are not doing well in their studies. A Christian student should plan his/her time carefully. Discipline does not come naturally to most of us. Seek God’s guidance and help through prayer. Make good use of the time and all the other resources God has given.  Also, you need to plan your studies throughout the semester/year. That way you will not struggle in your studies just before the exams. Make it a habit also to write your answers while revising various subjects. Make your studies enjoyable by exploring the background and history of the various topics, whether it is science or history or any other subject. Always remember that our God is the source of all wisdom. You are privileged to be the son/daughter of the Most High God.

Faithfulness: The world is looking for successful people, but God is looking for faithful people. Be a faithful student who considers the opportunity, time and all that is given to you as a gift from God. Be a good steward of all that God has given you. Do not compare yourself with someone else. In the parable Jesus taught in Matthew’s gospel we read, “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability” (Mt 25:15). The one who received five talents and the one who received two talents doubled the talents given to them. Their master gave the same reward to both of them. This is a very important spiritual principle. Our responsibility is not to compare what we have with someone else, instead we should faithfully use whatever has been entrusted to us – our time and talents that God has given us. When we faithfully use our talents and do our very best as a student, we will hear our Lord telling us one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Mt 25:23).

Hard work: Another very important quality that God expects from all of us is hard work.  Any good work requires putting in a lot of hard work. God will richly reward all your hard work. In Gen41:46-57 we see the hard work Joseph put in to execute the plan God gave him to save Egypt from the severe famine. Similarly, from the book of Nehemiah, in chapters 2 to 6 we read the hard work Nehemiah put in to get the support of all the people living in Jerusalem. He carefully and meticulously executed the work in the midst of severe opposition. So be encouraged, if you find your studies difficult, it is just natural! Do not give up that easily. Take it as God’s process to train your ‘hands and fingers’ for something greater. God will richly reward all your efforts.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossian church wrote the following to the slaves: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Col 3:23,24). The above words of encouragement should act as our motivation to do everything as to the Lord.

Excellence: Consider your studies as an offering made to God on a daily basis. We must always offer the very best to God. Hence your attitude to studies matters a lot. Whenever tempted not to study or when tempted to become lazy with your studies, ask God to help you. Daniel was known for his excellent work. In general, we all are careful not to be corrupt, but not so careful when it comes to negligence. But Daniel was neither corrupt nor negligent. We should be known for our excellence. Being excellent means doing your very best. God knows your capability; hence if you are under- performing then that is not being excellent.

No need for any anxiety: One of the biggest problems with many students is anxiety. All of us need to watch out for this. Whenever you are tempted to be anxious then remember what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church. This is a verse worth memorizing. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7). These verses have both commands (what we should do), and also God’s promises (what God would do).

May our Lord inspire you through His Word to plan meticulously and to do your very best both in your studies and in your career, not for the fleeting treasures and fame of this world, but to please the eternal King, so that your academic life and career will bring glory and honour to God alone. In so doing, may you be fully satisfied in your academics and career.

Dr Joseph John was an EU student in 1974 while he was doing
engineering in Kerala. He has been an active UESI graduate,
contributing significantly over the past 27 years in Uttar Pradesh.
Since 2010, he has been active with Mumbai EGF, UESI-MH, and
served as UESI President (2012-2016). Retired from IIT Bombay in
2021, he is now an Adjunct Professor there. Married to Nina, they have two
sons, Tim (married to Roshni) and Jamie, and a grandson, David. He can be
reached through josina448@gmail.com