My Pastor recently provoked a conversation deep within me when he spoke words so profound. At least to me! That we should not stake our destinies on our job descriptions. What a thought!

Just so we’re on the same page. Destiny refers to where you’re going and will land up on this journey called life. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future”. The presupposition being that tomorrow depends on what you’re doing today. I think we’re agreed on that, in principle. But, he was saying something deeper. That we should not allow our jobs to define our destinies, as we chart our respective courses into this future. Simply because a job is just that – a job. Oxford defines it as “a paid position of regular employment” or “a task or piece of work, especially one that is paid”. Why? Because attached to any job is a job description. And these job descriptions are limited. Being “formal accounts of an employees’ responsibilities”, only setting out the list of tasks that the employee is responsible for and will be remunerated against in the context of his role. Yet, there’s so much more to man than his job description. How much more, you ask? And that’s the point. Except we elevate our vision to see ourselves beyond our job descriptions, we may never fully express or walk in our best selves. And discover how much more there is in us.

And don’t be fooled. This isn’t an easy one, friends. Jobs represent a significant part of our lives. The work/life dynamic is hugely inter-mingled. Man must make a living, and jobs provide an important avenue to that end. Hence, drawing this line requires a deliberate process of sifting out.

No doubt, I had to unpack it more deeply this month.

As mentioned above, the purpose of a job description is to detail job functions, together with the skills, knowledge and expertise required in order to perform in the relevant role. In essence, job descriptions set out the roles and responsibilities of an employee; being “the function assumed, or part played, by a person or thing in a particular situation.” That is, the tasks that he or she is responsible for in the context of the broader agenda. We know all too well that without clear job descriptions, job ambiguity may arise and ultimately lead to confusion. Because absent of clear divisions and distinctions between the start and end of employee responsibilities, employees may over-step or under-perform, causing frustration, anxiety, and dysfunction (to name a few). Thus, avoiding this by setting clear lines of function is fundamental to any effective organisation.

Last year, we discussed the importance of finding purpose in one’s life, being the unique mandate (assignment) for which one was born. That is, your reason for being; premised on the understanding that God has assigned each of us a specific commission on earth that only you can fulfil. Mandate is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “an official order or commission to do something”. So, there’s a definitive and clear assignment by God for every person, and it’s your responsibility to actively search it out and connect to it; thereby aligning with God’s vision for your life. Why? Because the purpose of a thing is defined by the creator. Not the other way around. And as we discussed, some find their mandate; but many don’t! Then, what tends to happen is that the job becomes the mandate. In aligning with the vision associated with the responsibilities attaching to the role, many inadvertently believe that this is the mandate. And end the search there.

But this is the caution. That we shouldn’t define our lives by, and limit our purpose to, our job descriptions. Because we’re so much more than any man could ever pay us to do! That inside each of us are infinite possibilities connected to the power of God on our lives, that shouldn’t be compromised or undermined for the sake of a job. Because there’s an order to this thing. The mandate always precedes the job. It never follows it. Man is assigned (and given purpose) even before he has a job. Which means that the man must already know what this purpose is before starting any job. And also understand how the job feeds into this bigger picture. Yet, we see the reverse in the world today. Men get jobs; then make those jobs the mandate – by default. And believe they’ve found purpose. Sometimes, it’s out of ignorance. They believe that the job is the mandate, because they haven’t taken the time to seek God’s mind on the matter and understand what His plans for their lives are. Other times, it’s because they’ve failed to connect with God’s vision for their lives. That is, they’ve sought God on the matter, but failed to arrive at a place of true vision. Simply because some aspect of their lives is not consecrated as it should be and keeps them disconnected from the place of perfect sight. And so, they settle into the job under the guise that God sent them there. And other times, they’re just indifferent. Unaware that there’s more to life than meets the eye. And more to purpose than the word on the streets. Unbothered to search out purpose. Satisfied by the benefits that accompany the job – status, power, wealth, and so on. And for some, they simply don’t believe in God. So, with God out of the equation, purpose starts with them. And this can be the job or any other thing they define for themselves.

But here’s the conundrum. A job is a limited set of responsibilities that have been designed by another to meet certain requirements of an organisation. They feed from only a limited part of the man, in the context of the role; without regard to everything else in the person – the potential, possibilities, passion, and so forth. Emphasis is placed only on the job requirements. And the person is recognised and remunerated for satisfactorily achieving just that. Furthermore, promotion and increase are only defined in the context of the job. Thus, a whole life is summed up by a job. And the man walks a predictable and ordinary path in the fulfilment of that destiny. Simply because that’s what the system, and its qualifications, produces. Yet the man remains disconnected from his truest self.

I think we’d all agree. Job creation is one of the fundamental building blocks of any society. In order for a nation to thrive, it should create jobs and provide employment opportunities to all. Everyone who desires to work should be able to enter the job market with ease. This prospers the nation and also prospers the man; by contributing to the overall good while creating wealth. This in turn spurs economic activity, through trade, developments and so on. Moreover, jobs instill numerous invaluable qualities in man; like hard work, problem solving, diligence, commitment, excellence, and so on. It’s a wonderful story.

Yet, man is still more than his job description!

I put it to you that inside each of us is a unique seed that positions each of us in places only you can occupy. Bringing us to the place of perfect alignment with who we are in God. Get a job. And do your part. But also find your purpose. Discover that sleeping giant within and allow this person to be fully expressed on earth. Otherwise without this, you won’t truly be satisfied and content. Because though you may be doing everything that’s required by the job, and excelling at it; the bigger part of you – that part which defines who you are and your destiny on earth, becomes frustrated potential. And you carry a deep knowing that there’s more to you. Yet an inability to draw it out. Being fulfilled in the job, but dis-satisfied in life. Deeply yearning for more.

Here’s the thing about finding your mandate. It’ll separate you and set you apart. Distinguishing your voice from the noise. And putting a mark on your life that’s distinct and unique. But this can’t happen in the noise. You must walk a path less travelled; and carry the boldness and confidence to draw lines around the vision of God for your life. Otherwise, you’ll be swallowed by the rest. Each convinced that they know and understand the keys to finding purpose; and that they’re walking in it. Yet they couldn’t be farther from the vision of God for their lives. Blinded by the benefits and associations that come with the fulfilment of a job. Because the job is not the mandate. It can be, or it could be a part of it. But in most cases, the mandate is something else. And sadly, many have already missed it.

What’s my point? Never allow any man to limit who you are and what you can achieve. That includes you. And also includes your boss. You’re so much more than the list of responsibilities and qualifications assigned to you. Even if you didn’t have a job, there remains a seed within you that has the ability to change the whole world if you just tapped into it and drew it out. Connect to that seed. Because that’s who you are and the destiny that was designed for you from even before you were in your mother’s womb. And whether you do this or not, the day will come when you will discover just how big you could’ve been and how much you could’ve done; had you connected to this thing.

But you settled on your job description!

Yours in baking,

Chi