What Do You Want To Do When You Grow Up?

"What do you want to do when you grow up?" The question is asked to every child. My 10-year old self would have answered without hesitation. "I want to fly fighter planes."

Now, I'm 32, I fly fighters, and my answer is uncertain. I simply don't know "what" I want to do when I grow up. As I prepare for the next transition (that being one to a civilian life), the apparent relevancy of the question increases. In fact, the true question of "what" actually deviates slightly from the root question. What is my element? Where are my aptitudes and abilities best suited to serve others? Does this intersect with my passions? Perhaps most of all (my wife can relate here), will it allow me to balance my priorities, family and lifestyle?

Perhaps you can relate. The answer, it seems, ought to come from a self-awareness of what activities we are naturally suited to, and which ones we can hone to prepare ourselves for a new job. It relates closely to what one might consider their vocation, or calling in life, and is completely unique because of our individual identities and where we live in time and place. Academics like Ken Robinson would say that finding our individual element is essential to achieving a balanced life. I wonder, who actually truly finds their element? Who can find it and stay in it for the duration of their life? I assert that it is difficult to answer the question of "what" our element is, without an understanding of "how" to do that job, and "why" we do it in the first place. The "why", it seems, is much more important, and must be grounded in a larger purpose for our existence.

From a faith-based perspective, the question of "what" we are to do for a living is less clear than "how" and "why" we work. This purpose has been explored and given more satisfactory answers by much smarter individuals than myself, long before the time and place we dwell in today. The Westminister Shorter Catechism, in the 17th century, explored the question, "What is man's chief end?" and determined the answer "to glorify God and enjoy him forever". Without digging too far into the theological meaning of this assertion (and all of the possible outcomes), let us simplify this to say the following: as a follower of Christ, my ultimate goal is first to glorify God by fearing, obeying, and knowing Him. Second, my ultimate goal is to enjoy Him, by experiencing joy and peace in the abundant life which comes from doing the first. In practice, that means "what" job I pursue is not nearly so important as "how" I pursue endeavors, and "why" I pursue it in the first place.

If I know the abstract "why" (to glorify and enjoy God), then the practical "how" stems from it. Colossians 3:17 says, "and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (ESV) If one's true motivation for work is to glorify God, then we begin to act in a way consistent with the principle. It's a simple but powerful truth. When my identity is not found in what I do, but rather why I do it, and specifically "who" I am abiding in, there is a radical internal change in "how" I act day to day. 2 Timothy 2:15 agrees, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (ESV) Colossians 3:23 concurs, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as to the Lord and not to men". When we work in a way that exhibits a fear and obedience to God, and a desire to know him, a natural diligence springs from it.

These changes in "why" and "how" have very practical application to the workplace today. The follower of Christ ought to act with great diligence, justice, ethical and moral decision making, service to others, and a heartiness that results in joy and peace and abundant life. Our work ought to stand out.

So, then, we arrive at our conclusion. "Why" and "how" are of significantly greater importance than "what" work we do. Let's look at Colossians 3:23 again: "WHATEVER you do..." It is admonishing and encouraging us that "what" doesn't matter. We can rest in the peace of knowing that we are always in our "element" when we rest in God's sovereignty, and trust that he will lead us to the answer of "what" we do in His own time.

Sicario Trailer - First Impressions

In a word, this preview is intense. Trailer editing is practically an art these days, and Sicario covers the essentials: cinematography that depicts a taut series of resonant imagery (were those bodies in the wall?), familiar actors (Edge of Tomorrow's badass heroine Emily Blunt, for example) delivering suspenseful dialogue ("Spotter vehicle, left lane"..."Get your weapon out"), a score which propels the experience like an afterburner takeoff, and carefully depicted action to thrill the viewer. Filmmakers are given two minutes to enrapture the audience and create a coherent story in a preview, and this trailer achieves it to great effect for me.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoner, Enemy), who is slated to helm Blade Runner 2, Sicario promises to be a high-tension, character-based thriller, centered on themes basic to the human experience: that there is creational good in the world, that something has gone very wrong along the way, and that this brokenness exists in each of us (spoiler alert: it's called sin). We are entangled and surrounded by it's nature; as Sicario's tagline states, "In this war, there are no borders between right and wrong". It is inevitable that no victory which can be achieved of our own will, and I predict that, "providing a measure of order that we could control" (as Josh Brolin's character states) will not work out very well.

Fortunately, this picture of the human experience is only a partial one. The gospel worldview teaches us that redemption and ultimate freedom from our bondage to sin is found in Jesus Christ, who has ransomed himself to set the captives free. Whether Sicario points the way has yet to be determined, but there is hope and not despair to be found in it's story for the follower of Christ.