I stumbled across an intriguing question this morning: If money and status were completely irrelevant, what would you spend your time doing?
It’s one of those questions that sounds simple until you actually try to answer it.
There are so many possibilities. Would you travel the world, wandering ancient streets and sampling food you can’t pronounce? Or spend your days painting, writing novels, restoring old cars, building furniture, or finally learning to play the banjo? Some might garden or go fishing or spend more time at the gym. Some might even set a goal to read every book in the library!
But possibilities aren’t always the same as reality. For many, we’re so used to doing what we’re doing we can’t imagine that kind of change. We’d likely just keep doing the same things we’re doing now. Except, maybe, we might nap a little more.
Of course, there are also more noble or “right” answers. Spend more with people we love. Volunteer more.
The question is fascinating because it peels away layers we usually carry around with us. Expectations. Ambition. Obligation. Prestige. It asks, beneath all of that, what actually gives you joy? And perhaps even deeper it asks: What kind of person did God create you to be?
Scripture tells us that “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).
That doesn’t mean we are all meant to be missionaries, pastors, or theologians. The kingdom of God has always had room for gardeners and builders, artists and cooks, teachers and mechanics, musicians and accountants. God seems to enjoy variety.
Not every dream is a calling. Perhaps it’s less about what we do than about why we’re doing it … whether it’s just about pleasing ourselves or pleasing God. The first may satisfy us for a time, but the second may just leave us feeling more alive, more grateful, and, in the end, more fully ourselves.
Frederick Buechner famously wrote that our best vocation in life is where “deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” That sounds remarkably like the kingdom of God.
So perhaps the question for today isn’t merely, What would I do if money didn’t matter? Perhaps the better question is: What would I do if God matters most? God’s peace and joy aren’t waiting for us somewhere in the distant future after we win the lottery, retire early, or finally get our schedules under control. They may be waiting for us this afternoon. Just a thought to ponder….
Prayer: God, thank you for making each of us with unique gifts, interests, and joys. Help me to discover the work that brings life to my soul and blessing to the people around me. Keep me from measuring my worth by status, income, or recognition, and teach me instead to find my identity in being your beloved child. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
