失業：探究未來的「深水」
By:Rick Boxx
隨著過去幾年在我們城市裡不斷升高的失業現象，我發覺自己花了很多時間去輔導人關於未來的職涯道路。當人們失去工作時，他們會害怕和絕望，但是失業時也通常是個人提升的最好時候。人會在這個時間反省自己的優缺點，也重新思考神在他們生命中的意義。
常常有人來問我，看看可不可以透過我找到工作。但很不幸的是，我發現大部分的人並不知道自己下一步要做甚麼？當你不知道自己要做甚麼，或是不知道自己適合做甚麼的時候，怎能找到一個適合自己而且有價值的工作呢？
結果，我最有價值的對話通常來自幫助人辨認神的呼召和他們未來的目標。有趣的是，很多人從沒把這個當成考慮他們職涯時的要素之一。有人甚至還問，神跟我的職業有甚麼關係？對他們而言，唯一要考慮的因素只有：「這個行業能賺多少錢？或是未來有沒有升遷的希望」而已。
然而在聖經裡面，神很在意我們做甚麼。畢竟，祂是創造我們的那一位。「我要稱謝你，因我受造，奇妙可畏；你的作為奇妙，這是我心深知道的。我在暗中受造，在地的深處被聯絡；那時，我的形體並不向你隱藏。我未成形的體質，你的眼早已看見了；你所定的日子，我尚未度一日，你都寫在你的冊上了。」(詩篇139篇14-16節)
在舊約的其他經節裡，神也向我們保證祂對我們有清楚的旨意。「耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。」(耶利米書29章11節)
所以每當有人來找我、打電話給我，希望我幫忙介紹工作的時候，除了告訴他們可能找到工作的地方之外，我也問他們，他們的夢想是甚麼？渴望是甚麼？當這個人壓根沒想過這些事的時候，這不是件容易的事。但是聖經中告訴我們：「人心懷藏謀略，好像深水，惟明哲人才能汲引出來。」(箴言20章5節)
有一次一個朋友跟我說，之前也有人這樣幫助他。那個人問他兩個很有智慧的問題：「如果你把存款裡的錢提出來，你還會做你現在的工作嗎？」「如果保證你可以有足夠生活的錢，你想要做甚麼？」
這兩個問題看起來很簡單，但他們真的值得深入思考。因為你的回答可能會引導你走向令你自己都驚訝的不同方向。
所以即使你現在失業、高學歷低成就、或是你有朋友要找新的工作，試著別太快告訴他們去這裡那裏找工作。下決心花時間汲引出神藏在人心中的深水。你會發現這是值得的。
版權所有2011,純全資料中心。本文摘錄自「與Rick Boxx的純全時刻」，這是一本從基督徒角度看職場議題的評論集。想知道更多關於純全資料中心的資訊，請上網訂閱Rick Boxx的每日純全時刻。www.integrityresource.org.
思想 / 討論題目
你是否思考過神對你生命的目標？你知道是甚麼嗎?如果你還不知道，也許現在正是思考的 好時機。 人們常說，大部分的人都不喜歡或是恨惡他們的工作，即便他們的薪水很高。這是真的嗎？ 你上次找新工作的時候或是失業的時候是甚麼時候？你當時有求問神要你做甚麼嗎?分享你的答案。 問問自己：「如果錢不是問題，我會繼續做現在的工作嗎？」「如果我保證可以賺到夠用的錢，我會做哪些更有興趣的工作？」你的回答是甚麼？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言14章23節、16章26節、18章9節、21章5節、以弗所書4章11-12節、歌羅西書3章17、23-24節、提摩太後書3章16-17節
UNEMPLOYMENT: EXPLORING “DEEP WATERS” FOR THE FUTURE
By Rick Boxx
With unemployment rising to increasingly higher levels in our city over the past couple of years, I found myself devoting a lot of time to counseling people about their future career paths. When people lose their jobs, it can be a fearful, devastating experience. However, it also can be an excellent time for personal reevaluation, to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, and reconsidering God’s purpose for their life.
Often individuals will call me in their process of networking to find a new job, but unfortunately I find they have little or no idea about what they want to do next. How can you find a suitable, rewarding job if you really do not know what you want to do – or what you are best suited for doing?
As a result, some of my most valuable conversations come from helping them identify God’s calling and purpose for their future. Interestingly, this is a matter that many people never factor into their vocational choices. Some might even ask, “What does God have to do with it?” For them, the only issue might be how much money they can earn, or potential for career advancement.
In the Bible, however, we read that God is very much concerned with what we do. After all, it says, He is the one that designed us. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well…. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:14-16).
Another passage in the Old Testament also assures us of God”s clear desires for His children: ” “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” ” (Jeremiah 29:11).
So when someone approaches me or calls me on the phone, seeking help in finding a new job, I try to do more than point them to possible workplaces. I talk with them, asking about their interests, dreams, desires. This is not always easy, especially if the person has not given much thought to these things. But as Proverbs 20:5 teaches, "The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out."
A friend once told me of a time when someone else helped him in much the same way. The person he was talking with had offered wise counsel by asking two related questions: “If you were to take money out of the equation, would you continue doing what you are doing? If you had the assurance of earning as much money as you needed, what would you really like to do?”
Even though those questions seem simple, they deserve thoughtful, careful consideration. Your answers could set your career in a surprisingly different direction.
So if you are unemployed, under-employed (overqualified for the work you are doing), or have a friend who is looking for a new job, try not to simply offer quick suggestions on where to look for work. Resolve to spend time drawing out the “deep waters” God has placed in the person”s heart. You could both find that the time discussing this is well-spent.
Copyright 2011, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Have you ever taken the time to consider God”s purpose for your life? If so, what would you say that it is? If you have not done so, this might be a good time to give it some thought. It is often said that the majority of people dislike – even hate – their jobs, even if they are well-compensated for them. Why do you think this is? When was the last time you were seeking a new job, or found yourself unemployed? Did it ever occur to you to ask what God wanted you to do? Or is this a new concept for you? Explain your answer. Ask yourself, “If money were not an issue, would I continue doing the kind of work I am presently doing? If I were assured of earning as much money as I needed, is there some other kind of work that I would enjoy more?” How do you answer those questions?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 14:23, 16:26, 18:9, 21:5; Ephesians 4:11-12; Colossians 3:17, 23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
