Career Choices: You Are Equipped - Go Forward (Part 7)

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10, New International Version).

Photo by Isaiah Mcclean -

Dance your way to success knowing that you are moving in what you were designed to do. This posts gives five tips to help you keep step.

5 Tips

• Be courageous.

Joshua 1:9 proclaims, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whither soever thou goest."

By the time you reach the ninth verse, God has told Joshua to be fearless three times. Moses was dead, and now he was charged with the responsibility of leading the children of Israel. Taking them across the Jordan to their promised land would be a challenge. Joshua probably felt a little apprehensive.

Nevertheless, God reassures Joshua that he is not alone. Like the new young leader, you are a warrior. Most important, God is with you. How can you fail? Even if you move a little off course, Jesus (your GPS) will steer you back on track.

• Never forget who works in and through you.

There are different kinds of gift, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, New International Version).

Although you are gifted with skills and talent, never forget the giver. If you begin to feel overwhelmed or rely too heavily on the gift - it is time to decrease. John 3:30 says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." You are not operating alone - your strength comes from your silent partner.

Decreasing is really increasing. Ben Carson, for example, was one the most successful surgeons in the world. He handled the most difficult cases. Yet, he took his lead from God. Carson prayed for wisdom (If the answer was no, he did not perform the operation). Ben Carson instructed the family members of patients to pray also.

• Lean into grace.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6-8).

Suppose you hit a roadblock in your career or life. Instead of magnifying the problem, lean into grace. Grace is the power that fuels your engine. So, lean in. God will work on you, then you will work on the task. Even though you are gifted, you have infirmities. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." His grace will enable you the same way it enabled the Apostle Paul.

• Keep the fire burning.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

Refuse to lose your passion. Ever wonder why the Apostle Paul achieved more than the others? Paul did not allow the circumstances to slow him down - whether he was in or out of prison.

• Maintain a spirit of praise.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works (Psalm 139:14, New King James Version)

Despite what Satan may whisper in your ear, you are one of a kind. No one else has your fingerprints. Praise the Lord for being blessed with priceless deposits. You will stay ahead of the pack.