I find it is very common for people to identify who they are with what job they do. In particular for men, but also for women, it seems that much of their identity can get wrapped up in what job they do. So much so that it is common when meeting someone for the first time to ask “Who do you work for?” or “What job do you do?”
While it is understandable that our work does reflect something about us, because of how much of our lives are spent working, there is so much more to someone than just what job they do.
If I were meeting Abraham today, and asked him those questions I may only learn that he was a shepherd. I would be missing out on finding out about his close relationship with Jehovah!
What if I asked David about his job when he was a shepherd and again years later when he was a king? Was he a different person because of the job he had? No. He was a man after God’s own heart as a shepherd boy and still as a king. I would miss out on getting to know David and his relationship with Jehovah if I only ask what job he does.
I recently found myself in a group of Christian men, who genuinely seem to love and want to serve Jehovah. I met them for the first time. It seemed every time I met someone in the group, I was drawn back into talking about my job, when I would much rather have discussed family or what God is doing in my life or my ministry hear at Hearing From Jesus. My job is how I earn money, but it is not who I am.
This is certainly not a big deal, but I felt that I missed out on the opportunity to get to know these men a bit more meaningfully by missing the chance to actually talk about Jehovah or family at a Christian men’s gathering.
As I reflect, I think I am going to challenge myself to hold a slightly different focus when I meet folks in the future, even if they are asking me about my job. I want to engage them with an open ended lead in such as “Tell me about yourself.” That way they can tell me about their job or hobby if that is what they want to discuss, or about their walk with Christ or their family if they prefer. A simple adjustment may help open up more meaningful discussion even from the starting gate as come to meet someone.
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