Just when I think I have heard of every possible career, I see something like this. Who knew there was such a thing as geese police? Part of the fun of having a child is helping them explore all of the possibilities for future careers. Don’t just limit yourselves to the standard doctors, lawyers, business people and teachers. Check out books on fun careers. Read biographies with your children about people with unusual career paths. Take your child to watch people at work in all sorts of places.
Career exploration is important and can be lots of fun for you and your child. Don’t stop there though. If your child chooses a particular career, how could he honor God while he is working? What ways could she point people to God? Would it be possible to share his faith with co-workers or clients?
It may seem a little silly to ask a seven year old future geese police person how she could honor God in her chosen career, but actually it is crucial for you to start your children thinking about the concept while they are young. If you don’t, your children may learn to segment their careers from their Christianity. Did you know the Apostle Paul continued to make a living as a tentmaker while he was a missionary? In fact, many early missionaries held jobs to earn the money they needed to live. I doubt seriously though, Paul separated his faith from his tent making. I can see him telling his customers about Jesus while he took their orders or delivered their tents.
Teach your children their faith in God is a lifestyle and not an extracurricular activity. Whether they end up on the geese police force or becoming a top neurosurgeon or a stay-at-home mom, everything they do should bring glory to God and point others to Him. They can use their jobs to demonstrate God’s love for mankind by being loving to co-workers and customers. They can reflect God so accurately those they encounter at work are drawn to learn more about God. Many positions will also provide opportunities to directly share their faith with co-workers and even clients.
So have fun tracking down all of those unique career opportunities with your child. Help him discover a career that matches his interests and talents. Help her find a job about which she will become passionate. More importantly, help them begin to figure out the ways now they will use those jobs in the future to bring glory to God and share their faith.