My lament is that many of our young people have little self-awareness and are not in touch with their own hearts, and therefore need to spend time to self-discover and reflect on their life journeys thus far, catching a glimpse of where God has led them in their lives They can do this by probing their joys, sorrows, talents and gifts and indeed re-look at the key relationships they have formed in their lives which may affirm their direction ahead. 

Actually we need to take time for retreats, not to get entertained and busy amusing ourselves, but be quiet to invest in times of retrospection and reflection, to pray and to discern where we are in our journeys of life.   We need to get a mentor or a life coach, a spiritual director or a pastor, who can take time with us to chat and explore life’s directions. 

Nietszche ws the one who said that he who has a WHY ( a reason for living) can live with almost any HOW (means for living).  Once we clarify the overarching purpose of our lives, we can find meaning in our daily walk and work, fulfilling duty and earning money to pay bills notwithstanding. 

I also suggested we look at biblical characters and heroes from history as references as we live in a New Economy and globalised age characterised by rapid and continuous change.  These were individuals with real problems like us, who struggled with their life and work, but somehow ended their journeys on earth pretty well, simply because they were aligned to the Master Scriptwriter of their lives and hence had a lot of guidance in times of rapid change and firece challenges. 

Like Jacob, the schemer and King David, the giant slayer but also an adulterer and murderer, they had their fair share of regrets and grievous sins, but they were great prodigal sons who knew how to return to their loving Father and found redemption, restoration and rewards along their life journeys. 

Even Mother Teresa, the great saint whom we respect as an angel sent from heaven with her heart of compassion had her struggles. Her biographers have discovered with the recent publication of her private journals, that she struggled with doubt constantly and was not exempt from the emotional roller coaster rides all human beings face on earth in our daily lives.

Here are some notes on some of these great lives, for our quick reference with the hope we can research and read more at our own leisure, to be inspired to seek the Transcendent God daily while we trudge on with our work here below:   

Reflections on Characters from Bible and Church History who have had great careers…

Abraham  - a rich man who lived in tents (when he could have built not only a bungalow, a mansion but even a city) and lived life as a pilgrim.  He became a father of nations at a very old age when he did not even have a single descendant.

Isaac – started his life and career as a burnt offering (nearly) and then understood how to live as a living sacrifice and left a legacy of faith ( and wells, from which his descendants drank for many centuries).

Jacob – planned (schemed) his career and manipulated people (including his family members and loved ones), but finally wrestled with God and actively submitted to God’s agenda.  He became the father of the Israelites.

Joseph- did his best wherever he was placed, whether as a domestic helper or a prisoner and refused to compromise.  He eventually rose to become the Prime Minister of Egypt as he honed and perfected his scenario planning and managerial skills.  Never say die, even when your brothers dump you.  Believe in your dreams, as Joseph did.

Moses – gave up his earthly (princely) ambition to be aligned with God’s plan for his life.  He messed up many times along the way, became a most reluctant leader but was counted a friend of God, because he loved God above all.

David- true to himself (refused to fight the giant Goliath as a soldier, who would look the part with fancy armour suit, but was determined to go forth just as he was, a simple shepherd boy armed with his stick, sling and stones… he accomplished his mission with just one slick throw of a stone because he went in the name of God), was greatly used of God, sinned greatly, yet refused to resort to ways of man to achieve his kingly ambition, and was deservedly called “a man after God’s heart”.

Daniel- man of intellect and character,  a “President scholar type” who was faithful and successful in his responsibilities in government, an uncompromising man of faith from youth and eventually becmae a great servant of kings (he actually outlasted 4 kings and a change of dynasties), and was a man used greatly by God in turbulent time in history.

Nehemiah- a civil servant who dared leverage his role and available resources to help build the city wall, administrate Jerusalem, built a community and revived the faith and fortunes of a wrecked nation.

Jonah- an exceptionally smart and competent preacher, well trained, greatly gifted but was a griping, sulking servant of God… whom I believe repented and caved in before the Almighty God after God revealed his heart of compassion.  God was truly gracious to him.

Jesus – lived his life as an obscure outsider, living as a sacrificial Servant of man and God, a Saviour of the world

Our Lord was focused, self-directed (empowered by the Holy Spirit) not given to public opinion, and accomplished His tasks on earth ON TIME.

Joh 4:34  Jesus said: My food is to do what God wants! He is the one who sent me,

and I must finish the work that he gave me to do.

Joh 17:4  I have brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you gave me to do.

Paul - the Apostle to Gentiles/ Tentmaker / Church-planter / Missionary who was clear about his calling, who his Boss really was and what his Job Scope entailed.  He exceeded expectations… he fought the good fight, ran the race and finished the course to receive his long-awaited laurel and crown at the end of his life.  His two pertinent questions to clarify his life’s ambition and direction:

Act 22:8  “Who are you?”

Act 22:10  “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

Vincent Van Gogh – artist-painter who was theologically trained, gave up his pastorate to be a painter to communicate the plight of the poor to an affluent and apathetic church of his day.

Kierkegaard – philosopher-writer who was also theologically trained but did not take up a pastorate in view of the careerist tendencies of the pastors of his day and the spiritual anemia of the church.  He spent his shortened life writing exhaustingly to help alert the Danish people to the need for authentic living and live rightly before God in faith and with passion. 

Albert Schweitzer – medical missionary who spurned academia ( would have done well excellently as a university professor armed with a few PhDs by his mid-20s) to answer a recruitment advertisement for medical missions, got trained as a medical doctor and set sailed for Congo in tropical Africa and lived there for the next 50 years. 

Martin Luther King – civil rights activist who blazed the path so that the Blacks in America can have access to equal rights and the Democrats today can have an African-American candidate for the presidential elections in 2008.  He was a Baptist pastor who was not content to be a country club manager and went out to serve his community.  He paid for his mission with his life as he was assasinated in 1968.  His dream continues to inspire hope.

Mothere Teresa- teacher turned helper of destitute and dying… a life truly demonstrating the compassion of God and His love for mankind, and the possibility of a spiritual revolution in our time.  She lived a life and vocation demonstrating what true religion and piety should be, in the imitation of Christ.