My husband and I don’t know what to do. He had the opportunity to pursue a second career by going to seminary, which he did exceedingly well, graduating in May of 2012. He has yet to find a ministry position. Close, but no luck. Frankly, it’s discouraging.
So, we are considering what to do next. Give up looking for a ministry position? Maybe.
We talked about how God’s plan for our lives has two tiers: the most important role that God has for us, Big R, and the particular roles we play, Little R. We decided that God’s highest desire for us, the top line of our lives, the Big R role, is to glorify Him and to lead others to do the same by sharing the gospel. The top tier is the same for everybody. The bottom line, then, the Little R roles, would be however we decide to do that, the work we do and the people we interact with. That one allows for infinite personal creativity.
Therefore, the Little R roles are the means by which we accomplish the Big R role.
A pastor, a Little R role, can manage the Big R role fantastically well or very poorly, as can an engineer (my husbands first career) or an IT project leader (my first career) or a Bible teacher (my current career). Those are all Little R roles. On the other hand, I know people who will never be in ministry, and yet they are powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ. They are living the Big R very well.
Perhaps in all of the attention we place on our Little R roles, and often on ourselves, we lose sight of the Big R role, what matters most to God.
I still don’t know what we’re going to do, but I pray that we will live our Big R role well. No matter what Little R roles we play.
Any advice?
Connecting Dots...to God 
Lol this is almost comical Judy, Phillipians says God puts in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure, I think both your R’s are in there somewhere.
And just to mention Gal, 2:20 again when we are crucified with Christ, I’m not sure what we should worry about because dead men have no desires they are just there on the cross their lives being hidden in God with Christ 🙂
Right now my thought is that Gods R for me is summed up in a short NAP
Hubert
As I read I saw where you and your husband have already put your trust in God. No matter where He leads you, you can know without a doubt it is exactly where you are supposed to be. Being in ministry would be terrific but maybe just maybe God has a special plan for your husband that may not be a church put in a place where he can use his ministry degree to God’s glory in different ways. I cannot wait to read where God will lead you.
Judy, I don’t have any advice, but did want to thank you for the wonderful way you shared about this. You encouraged me to not worry about my lack of an r role and just concentrate on the R role. God bless you and all that He has planned for you!
I have screamed at God, told Him how much He has messed up my life, and ruined my reputation. I have prayed over and over again, “God, just kill me.” I have done this and done that about my so-called ministry and can now tell you this: He ain’t moving until He wants to. Period.
Here’s my advice: learn to walk in peace, knowing He has called you and it is His responsibility to make Himself clear on what He wants you to do and how you are to do it. He wants you to succeed more than you want to succeed. It’s His responsibility as the Leader to lead you and as we all know by now, we believers aren’t very good followers. And guess what? He knows we aren’t very good followers, too.
So, relax. You won’t miss God’s best for your life because He is a great, great Leader.
Thanks Larry – so true, and how easy to lose track of that great truth.
What is evident is that you understand there is no person, place, or situation in which God cannot move and accomplish His Great things. Knowing this makes all the difference. The creation of your life is an R role in God’s holy and perfect plan. I dare to say it doesn’t matter what you choose to do with your time, your education, your passion so long as you all of it to love the people God puts in your path and spread joy. Love to you, Judy!
So long as you *USE all of it. Where’s that edit button when you need it! 😉
Thanks Cara – it’s funny how this truth can be so very clear in the Bible…but so very foggy in our own lives. I guess this situation is an opportunity to put what I know into practice. Not easy, but I’m sure it will be ultimately worth it! Love back to you!
Ah Judy, you have expressed this so well. I am sorry to hear your family is struggling through this right now. I am currently serving on a search team for a lead pastor, and I confess that – like all other careers – we are looking for ministry experience, and perhaps do not give enough credit to workplace experience. I am taking a moment this morning to pray that the Lord will direct your big R and little ‘r’ steps: I am sure he did not have your husband go to seminary in vain. I wonder what his next step will be? Bless you for your faithfulness and keeping yourself under his hand.
Thanks so much for your prayer and encouragement, Bronwyn. I wonder what his next step will be too – and I’ll keep you posted!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as unto the Lord. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. 🙂