My Job? Expressing God!

I have had many jobs, and many different kinds of jobs, in my life. Once I had four part-time jobs at the same time. I've also been without a job.

Recently I read something that gave me a new perspective. James Davidson writes, "A job can never provide 'economic security' . . . . Any attempt to make 'jobs' in general 'secure' is bound to miscarry and rebound against genuine economic security . . . . In the post-industrial period, jobs will be tasks you do, not something you 'have' " (Strategic Investment, March 20, 1996). I realized that this coincided fairly well with a concept of employment I had arrived at in prayer when I had been unemployed. I came to realize that I am always employed because I'm always the reflection of God. The very activity of being God's reflection, or expression, is full-time employment.

This was a thrilling and gratifying discovery. It opened my thought to a wider consideration of employment opportunities, and I soon found myself in a new career. And since that time I have remembered that I am always fully employed as God's daughter.

But does this have anything to do with "genuine economic security"? Is security based on a large investment portfolio? An ample income? Consider this statement: "Security for the claims of harmonious and eternal being is found only in divine Science" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 232). It was in the laws of God that Mary Baker Eddy, who wrote this, found true security to exist. And she herself was ultimately blessed with economic prosperity through adherence to these laws. Between 1895 and 1902 she was able to give $120,000 to the Christian Science Church, which she had founded-quite a large amount of money a hundred years ago!

Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science in 1866, and published Science and Health in 1875. Christian Science is based on the teaching of Christ Jesus, who might be regarded as poor by many of today's standards. As an adult he moved from place to place, and the Bible doesn't record that he had a permanent home. He did not, apparently, have regular jobs for which people paid him, nor did he have goods to sell. Yet the Bible shows that he never lacked. In fact, he was always giving-feeding and healing people.

Jesus said, "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" (Luke 12:24). He also told a young man who sought eternal life, "Sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor" (see Mark 10:17-22). Jesus beheld him and loved him when he gave the young man this counsel. But that young man turned away because "he had great possessions." Jesus taught never to trust in material circumstances, even good circumstances, for well-being, but to trust God.

This doesn't mean Christians should get rid of all their possessions. But having lots of things can actually be a burden, just as a job can sometimes feel burdensome. Many times it seems that a job has us, instead of our having it. If this is the case with you, and it bothers you, it can be an opportunity for you to pray, to commune with God. He is always here for us. If we are not hearing God, we're the ones who are not listening.

Sometimes our circuits become jammed with all kinds of human busyness and listmaking and prioritizing. This is the time to enter into your closet in prayer, as Jesus instructed (see Matthew 6:6). It is the time to go up onto a mountain, so to speak, as he would do-to lift your thought to God. In other words, this is the time to separate yourself from the daily routine long enough to listen for the good, healing ideas that God is always "broadcasting." Christian Science reveals God as infinite Mind. Because He is Mind, there is an infinite number of ways for Him to answer your sincere prayer. And because God gives us, through reflection of His power, dominion over all, you are free to choose and follow His guidance.

"Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea" (Science and Health, pp. 323-324). Are you ready for advanced ideas? If so, you have plenty of opportunity for employment-for being God's loving and intelligent expression. And you will always have what you need.