Mental Conflict Resolved

As I was thinking the other day, I had a brief mental conflict as I realized how rigorous any masters program is and how we are spending many resources, time, emotional energy, and money to be here. "Why am I not doing a masters degree (much less two masters degrees) in something more "useful", more "financially stable". Why am i expending all of this to be dependent on the body of Christ for the foreseeable future?" I was quite conflicted! "I was able to make 4.0 my first semester, why am I not studying to be a doctor or surgeon and make over six figures?" I know I could do it and that I would excel. My thoughts were swirling as the Lord humbled my mind, heart, and soul. If people go through years of medical school to do heart surgery and care for the physical life of a human, why would I also not pour my life into school to be able to spiritually care for the hearts of His people?

The Lord reminded me that for some, their role is in the common grace realm of medicine and caring for physical bodies. For some, it is the business world/working world where a follower of Christ can share the gospel in the least likely of places. And for some it is pastoral ministry or missions. We both feel called to missions and have actively chosen it. And the Lord remains faithful, gracious, loving, and kind in it all! We each have our role in the body of Christ and I can trust my good Father who fearfully and wonderfully made me that my role is for His glory and the good of my neighbor. You can trust that too. Where God has you is unique to you and does not need to be compared to anyone else's role in the body of Christ! After all comparison is the thief of all joy and envy makes the bones rot. But, we can be content with what we have (physically, emotionally, and spiritually), because God has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you".