Every waking moment of our lives, we operate from one of two viewpoints: human or divine. Our human perspective is desperate for control; we clamor for control as if this whole thing depends on us. We remain willfully and stubbornly limited to our human perspective. We prefer to do it our own way.

We are captivated by the rich, strong, good looking and powerful. Most of our personal fantasies involve us getting rich, stronger, better looking and more powerful. Our eyes are constantly scanning for these characteristics; our flesh craves these traits. As all the eyes of the world are on the wealthy and influential and the powerful, where are God’s eyes?

Often we separate our work, our vocations, into sacred or secular. Sacred work is seen as inherently spiritual and secular work isn’t. Sacred vocations are pastors and missionaries at non-profit and parachurch organizations. Then there are “secular” jobs that, in our minds, are less significant to God. These jobs and roles are simply to make money to support the real work of God.

For those who have money, you typically have to address the love of it, the stewardship of it and how deceptive it is in making us feel autonomous and self-sufficient. For those who don’t have money, you typically have to address the fantasies of what money can bring and what it can’t bring. You have to address the idea that success and meaning is equal to the money we have in our bank accounts and our earning power.