Introduction: Standing at Life's Crossroads
Throughout our lives, we face countless moments of choice. Among these, career and marriage decisions are some of the most significant choices that determine the direction of our lives. What job to pursue, whom to walk through life with—these decisions go beyond personal matters and deeply impact our faith and calling.
The free will that God has given us is a wonderful gift. However, it is both a great blessing and an authority that comes with tremendous responsibility. Especially during life's critical moments, we must be even more careful about what consequences our choices might bring.
1. There Are Only Two Paths Before Every Choice
The Spiritual Nature of Decision-Making
From the time of creation, God placed two choices before humanity: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This remains the same today. While it may appear that we have countless options, essentially only two paths exist.
Is it a choice guided by the Holy Spirit, or one that follows worldly values? Is it a choice to follow Jesus Christ, or one that follows our own desires? Is it choosing the narrow path or the broad path?
Two Choices in Career Decisions
Young people facing career decisions often struggle with questions like: "Should I choose a stable large corporation, or a smaller company doing meaningful work?" However, the more fundamental question is: "Is this choice pleasing to God?"
Pursuing only high salaries and good benefits represents worldly standards. While these conditions are important, they shouldn't be everything. What truly matters is whether you can fulfill God's will in that workplace and have a positive influence on your colleagues.
Two Choices in Marriage
Marriage follows the same principle. Choosing a spouse based solely on appearance, education, or economic status represents worldly criteria. While these factors can be considerations, the most important question is whether this person can serve alongside you as a faith companion in God's kingdom.
2. Consequences and Backgrounds of Our Choices
Life with Emmanuel vs. Life Separated from God
Every choice we make inevitably brings consequences. When we choose according to God's will, we live a life of Emmanuel—God with us. Conversely, when we follow only worldly standards, we live a life separated from God.
In career choices, a job selected based solely on conditions might provide temporary satisfaction, but it may be difficult to find true fulfillment or meaning. However, in a workplace chosen while seeking God's will, even through difficulties, we experience God's help and guidance.
Marriage follows the same principle. Couples who marry based only on external conditions are likely to experience disappointment and conflict over time. But couples who meet in God and marry based on faith can grow in love through God's grace even in difficult times.
The Crossroads of Blessing and Curse
Our choices become the standard that separates a life of blessing from a life under curse. We must remember that even a path that looks good to the eyes may result in destruction.
3. Specific Methods for Wise Decision-Making
First: Choose Based on God's Word
Discernment Through Prayer and Scripture Meditation
Before important decisions, always take sufficient time to pray. Meditating on God's Word and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance is the first step. When we lose sight of the Word, everything appears distorted.
If you're a student facing career decisions, ask yourself these questions:
- Can this job utilize the talents God has given me?
- Can I serve as salt and light in this workplace?
- Does this work contribute to the expansion of God's kingdom?
If you're considering marriage:
- Can I deepen my faith life with this person?
- Does this person help my spiritual growth?
- Can we serve God together and raise the next generation in faith?
Second: Make Valuable Choices for God's Kingdom
Pursue Eternal Values Over Short-term Gains
The standards the world pursues and the standards that please God may differ. Sometimes choices that appear to be losses in worldly eyes may be the wisest choices before God.
For example, choosing a company that actively supports missionaries or engages in community service even if the salary is slightly lower, or compromising on other conditions to marry someone with deep faith.
Third: Reverse Thinking - Seeing Crisis as Opportunity
Finding God's Will in Difficulties
Sometimes we must make decisions when conditions aren't perfect. In such cases, choices that go against conventional wisdom might be God's will.
This includes choosing the missionary path during economically difficult times by giving up a stable job, or marrying someone of the same faith despite opposition from others.
Fourth: Depend Only on God, Not People
Recognizing the Limitations of Human Advice
While we should gratefully receive advice from those around us, the final decision must always be sought through prayer before God. Opinions from parents, seniors, and friends should only be reference points.
Especially in marriage, while parents' opinions are important, they aren't everything. What's more important is discerning whether this person is the one God has paired with you.
4. The Importance of the Process After Making Choices
Walking in Faith with Patience
The results of right choices may not appear immediately. Sometimes difficulties and trials may follow even after making choices. However, this doesn't mean the choice was wrong.
Difficulties After Employment
Even in a workplace chosen according to God's will, you may experience work-related stress or relationship difficulties. It's easy to doubt, "Did I make the wrong choice?" However, such difficulties themselves may be God's providence to make us depend more on Him.
Reality After Marriage
The same applies to married life. No matter how faithfully a couple meets, they will face practical difficulties after marriage. What's important is remembering the faith-based motivation from when you first chose, and continuing to grow in love within God's grace.
Receiving the Holy Spirit's Guidance Every Moment
Choice isn't a one-time event. We must concretize our initial big choice through daily small choices. It's important to continue making choices of faith while receiving the Holy Spirit's guidance every moment.
Conclusion: Choosing to Trust God
What we must remember when facing important life decisions is that God accomplishes His will through our choices. While there may be no choice with perfect conditions, a choice made trusting God and seeking His will is always the right choice.
Don't be deceived by Satan's temptations to pursue only immediate benefits. Such choices will ultimately lead to a life oppressed like a debtor. Instead, make valuable choices for God's kingdom based on God's Word.
Whether in career or marriage, I hope all our choices become opportunities to glorify God and practice love toward our neighbors. Trusting that God will guide us to the best path He has prepared, let us continue to move forward in faith, one step at a time.