Not signed in (Sign In)

LiveSearch


‹ Familyman Home

Vanilla 1.1.4 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome
Welcome, Dad, to the Familyman Forum, designed to let dads interact, ask questions, and offer advice. Want to take part in these discussions? If you have an account, sign in now. If you don't have an account, apply for one now and get instant access to the forum.

Work: Mid-life Crisis?

Bottom of Page

1 to 9 of 9

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorvanman6
    • CommentTimeJul 24th 2010
     
    There seems to come a time in man's life when questions arise... "What am I doing?" "What can I be doing?"

    For instance, a friend of mine is asking this. When I first met him, he was wanting to be a pastor. Instead, he got a mechanical job, which he is good at, and "helped out" in church. Seventeen years later, he still has a mechanical job, but looking for something more... maybe starting a music or camp ministry.

    I also am asking. I taught in Christian schools and worked as a youth pastor. Those doors were closed. Now, I teach in the public school system. I would love to be a part of a singing-quartet ministry... or a evangelistic ministry (to encourage others on their journey to Christlikeness). I would love to move.

    I was listening to Matthew 6 on MP3. I was reminded that we are to center our focus on God and heavenly things. "Where your treasure is..." "if thine eye be single..." "seek ye first..." Yet, we get to thinking about our finances, job, neighborhood, health, security, niche in life, etc.

    Life is a quandary!

    Anyone else???
  2.  
    Life is a quandary...so true.

    God has taken me on a fantastic journey the past 15 months...that is how long it has been since I held a "real" job. Having been unemployed for 15 months, I have seen first hand how God cares for us and provides for us (somehow an unexpected check arrives or someone contacts me about some contract work just when I seem to be worried about finances).

    So, it is from this perspective that I share that God does not want you to be afraid or to be anxious (paraphrased from several favorite verses from the dog-eared pages of my bible). I guess you could describe me as a "bloom where you are planted" type of guy...I am open to wherever the Lord will lead me or plant me, in whatever situation...and while I'm there I guess I'm supposed to look for His work, praise Him, and be thankful.

    So my advice, take a risk, start or join one of the ministries you mention. Be open to what gifts and talents God has given you and use them.

    My two-cents.
    •  
      CommentAuthorTribeDad
    • CommentTimeJul 27th 2010 edited
     
    I think a lot of Christian men are frustrated in this area due to a false separation of the secular/sacred, or work/ministry.

    This drives so many to pursue "ministry" as their vocation, which I think adds to the frustration bcs many "ministries" end up being another program and/or dead tradition-of-men. This is why it's many times not fulfilling to serve in them for long. And when it is fulfilling, then it's has to do with the life of Jesus pouring through us for the good of someone else...which can "work" anywhere...not just in that ministry or program.

    I believe we are who we are, where ever we are, or else we are not being all he created us to be somewhere and at sometimes.

    Proverbs 11:25 says "The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. "

    Our hunger to be fulfilled & satisfied in our labors for-and-with our King can only be fullfilled if He (the bread of life, and the living water) is flowing to us and through us all throughout every day, and in every setting in which we find ourselves.

    Jesus said feed my sheep, and His sheep are everywhere and they are hungry.

    If we'll pour His life out (which requires the laying down of ours) at home, at work, at play, in recreation, all the time....then our life will be overflowing with abundant life, and rich fulfillment.

    If we separate work/ministry, then a huge portion of our spiritual-life will be quenched by the thorns (Matt 13:22).
  4.  
    I believe (read: was told by close friends) that I am probably going through some sort of "mid-life crisis" however that means I'll only live to be 76. :) I find that its not only the spiritual/secular struggles dealing with significance or employment. I feel that I have a good grasp on my spiritual significance...just seems that the 9+ hours each day of the same ol' same ol' at work then the same rut/routine/rituals at home really seem to take its toll. There are not enough vacation days in the world to overcome that. I have had severe depression, insomnia and other not so nice side effects of my mind trying to figure out why a loving God would put me (and my family) through an extremely extended time of suffering in many areas. It's not that I don't believe that He is good and that His plan is ultimately better than anything I can possibly imagine...it's just that so many windows and doors have been seemingly opened and then SLAMMED shut in the past 8-10 years that it gets hard to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an on-coming train.
    • CommentAuthorkilroy
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2010
     
    me too...you're not alone
    •  
      CommentAuthorTribeDad
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2010
     
    Hi Brothers,
    May I recommend a grace-filled resource as you process these thoughts and your life with God.

    So much of this is about perspective.

    The Fire of Delayed Answers by Bob Sorge
    • CommentAuthordoughobbs
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2010
     
    I had my mid-life crisis when I was 21. Now that I'm 52, I realize I'm living on borrowed time! Some of the stuff I want to do, and some of the things I do, are really not important or expedient for the Kingdom. My attitude sometimes shifts like a weathervane (driven by my environment). So, in the face of this, I persevere. Whether I want to, or not. Whether I feel like it, or not. Whether I've just fallen, or not. Most people are interested in the purse, but not the severe! ;-) So, what then?

    In Second Timothy, Paul says to "fan into flame the gift God gave you". The gift is already there.

    Paul also writes, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Our glory is already there.

    And in Hebrews 12, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Our predecessors are already there.

    I used to think of that one, seeing a bunch of sour-faced judges watching my every move so they could report on my failures. That is Satan the accuser. In reality, though, it is as if I am finishing my marathon and entering the Olympic Coliseum. The crowd of saints that has gone before me have been sitting in their seats, waiting, expecting, looking. When they see me, they raise a shout and point! The attention of the entire gallery is focused, and the shouts become a roar! Their joy and encouragement flows across me in waves, giving strength to my exhausted body. My legs were on fire, but now they are infused with power, and I am able to pick up my pace. I run with my eye on the finish-line tape, knowing that I will finish well, and this because of Christ!
    So, my brothers, run with me...
  8.  
    I'm 50 and can SO identify with the above comments. "Where do I belong?" has been a seemingly unanswerable question for most of my life. But in my pursuit of the answer, more and more I'm being left with the answer I put as a caption in a inspirational picture several years ago. The picture is of a road that seems to disappear into the distance, leaving no indication of where it ends up. The caption I put with it reads, "Follow Jesus with all your heart, and where the road goes wont matter." When I loose my focus and fear tries to overwhelm me, I have to remind myself of who I'm supposed to be following. So thankful He is patient, because I tend to stray far to easily. And some words of advice I once gave to one of my younger brothers: "Find Jesus and you'll find peace." "Funny" how God uses the medicine we give to others for our own ailments.
    •  
      CommentAuthorTribeDad
    • CommentTimeJul 30th 2010
     
    Amen songwriter37! Jesus IS the destination, and He is the Way there as well. He is our peace.

    Good word...

1 to 9 of 9

  1.