16- WHAT SHALL I DO WITH MY LIFE
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.
Lesson No. 16
WHAT SHALL I DO WITH MY LIFE
References:
Notes For Servants:
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Objectives:
General:
Specific:
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Instructions:
Bible Verse:
“Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6)
Lesson:
WHAT SHALL I DO WITH MY LIFE
FROM THE DIARY OF A STUDENT
5th May I have started thinking about my future. What specialization should I choose for my vocation?
I must choose a type of study suitable to that choice.
7th May Shall I choose a job from which I could get a big income?
I know some of my relatives who gain much in their work. My uncle who is a merchant lives in luxury because he has great income. I am tempted to follow his pattern.
10th May My uncle has become concerned only about his wealth. He spends his money on his own pleasures and has forgotten his responsibilities towards God his fellow men. For sure, money is not the most important thing in life. I do not want to be enslaved by the love of money.
14th May I am tempted to do a humanistic job, a job in which I can serve other people and bring them happiness. When I was sick, the doctor who treated me was very kind to me. The medical profession offers great service to humanity. I wish to become a doctor and serve the sick and help them overcome their sickness. I would not like my goal to be altered from humanly purpose to collecting money and seeking reputation.
23rd May What my teacher said today caught my attention, especially when he said: "Some of us dream about their future without caring for serving God through their work or profession. He reminded as of what St. Paul said : “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2 : 10)
25th May During supper tonight we discussed this matter. My brother John asked me: "Does every job enable me to serve God?” And my sister asked me: “Should everybody serve God?” Isn't it enough to have priests specialized for that and the rest serve humanity, science and nation?" My sister prefers to concern herself with family. She dreams of the future, to have a happy home with husband and children whom she would serve.
30th May My teacher visited us at home today. We had a long discussion with him. The following is the summary of what he said:
ALL ARE INVITED
We have seen the there are different kinds of gifts and talents that God has given to the members of his church. He has given these gifts to build up His Church and to bring everyone to full life in Jesus Christ.
Each one of us is given special gifts and we must use our talents. Everyone is called to use his talents in the role he has to perform in life, perhaps as a teacher, a bishop, a priest, a monk or a nun, or as a good Christian father or mother. If we put our trust in God and pray "Thy will be done" we may be able to discover what our particular gift is, and how God wants us to fulfill it.
Do you remember the .story of Mordecai whom God called to work as a guard in the king's palace? He was able by his faith and courage to serve God and overcome the evil acts which were planned against the King and against God's people. And Esther, the orphan girl, became queen and was able to perform a great role in saving the people. She was ready to sacrifice herself and her throne for serving God.
Some of us will use their gifts as special services in the world. If we have talents as artists, musicians, doctors, teachers, merchants, or nurses, we will try to develop and use them as well as we can, to the glory of God.
Others may be called by God to special services in the church, to serve His Church as bishops, priests or deacons.
But, one service, God has given to all members of His Church. He has made us all members of His royal priesthood. He has made us the people of God. His laity or laymen and laywomen. Everyone is first ordained in Chrismation to be a layman of God, one of God's own people. As laymen, we are called to offer our service of praise and glory to God forever. We are called to live in Communion with God; as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. We are called to use God's gifts of the Holy Spirit in all our lives.
MODELS AND IMAGES
St. Paul mentioned in his letters to his disciple Timothy the following ways of serving God through one's vocation in life.
+ The father who cares for his family:
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Tim. 5: 8)
+ The rich main who uses his wealth in good works:
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (I Tim. 6: 17-19)
+ The young man and women who preserve themselves pure:
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Tim. 2 :21)
+ The Bishop who is a good shepherd:
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” (I Tim. 3 :2)
+ The person who seeks the righteous life:
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (I Tim. 6: 11)
QUESTIONS
- What work would you like to do in your future ?
- How will You serve God in that job you have chosen ?
- If your job world require you to give it all your time, how then will you serve God?
- If your job would occupy six days of the week completely, what would you prefer to do in the seventh day?
- If you work among persons who do not know Christ, how will you serve among them?
- How will you serve God, in your family after getting married and having children?
Conclusion:
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