The Balance of Secular Pursuits and Faith
Nothing in life comes easy; and in fact, everything takes practice. When I first got saved, I knew nothing about what my Christian walk would be. All I knew was that this was the start of something new; a journey that many people embark on but few people maintain. Balancing my secular and spiritual life is a process that requires me to remain on the Potter’s wheel. In a school surrounded by people who spoke, dressed, believed, and acted differently, I knew it would require for me not to conform to the system so that my journey would be what God wanted. Romans 12:2 reminds us to not be conformed to the world but be transformed by a renewed mind so we can please God.
One way that I began to learn how to balance my secular pursuits and my faith walk was by bringing my Bible to school and reading it during lunch. Initially, I was the only person reading a Bible, however, three other girls and a boy started bringing their own Bibles, and although we did not read together, it started to feel more like a community. This is what a balance between your secular and spiritual life should feel like – a bridge. It took a while to understand that God doesn’t want me to lack things secularly; rather, He wants me to be successful in everything that I do and not lose sight of the real reason I am here.
There were times when I had to choose between church and school, whether that be events, trips, gatherings, etc. These decisions were not always easy. The reality is that sometimes I went to church events and other times I went to award ceremonies or gatherings for school. It’s about balancing my time wisely, but making sure God is pleased as He is a jealous God. He is not cruel. He wants you to enjoy abundant and everlasting life, but He must be the priority and be glorified in our pursuits.
In high school and college, I prayed during my walks to school. I’m not a morning person, so I often woke up with just enough time to get ready, causing me to rush and not have much time to commune with God. I had to find a strategy to strengthen my spiritual connection. The daily walks were great as they not only set the mood for the day, but the time spent walking allowed me to build my relationship with God and improve my prayer life. Another thing I did was to complete a daily Bible plan, using the Bible app. I would take notes and meditate on the scriptures given. I also loved wearing clothing that professed my faith, because it would open up conversations where I could speak about Jesus and His awesomeness. Additionally, I listened to Gospel music during my day to help keep my spirit uplifted. Another important thing that I learned to do was to pray over my courses and dedicate them all to God. Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to acknowledge Him in all our ways, so that He will direct our path. During my times when additional strength was needed, I would be reminded of Philippians 4:13 knowing that God would be with me, even when I felt like giving up. His strength was always made perfect in my weakness, and His favor was upon me.
It is important to include God in every part of your day. Talk with Him, He truly is your friend and wants to be your best friend. I would find myself looking up and saying “Okayyy, I see you God” whenever He showed up for me or I would find myself whispering things like “God, did you hear that? Did you see that? They’re bugging. Have your way with me.” I began to see God in everything. The skies- His handiwork, His canvas; the wind – following His command…nature became even more beautiful.
The routines that I began in my high school and college years have certainly kept me, because I still practice them, even in the workforce. Currently, I am pursuing a career in early childhood education. It is such a tremendous honor and responsibility to make an impression on these young minds, and I always try to find time to pray over the classroom. As I plan to return to graduate school to become a certified teacher, I work as a teaching assistant and babysitter. During babysitting assignments, I discern ways in which I can share my faith with the toddlers by listening to Sunday School songs and reading faith-based books.
God is so strategic that my career coincides with and is beneficial to the kingdom. In fact, every gift and career can be beneficial in caring for the whole man. For instance, I find myself working within the children and youth ministry. I believe I am a role model, as I encourage, build up, and assist in the growth of children in both areas of my life. The knowledge gained in my secular pursuits are used in the kingdom as I incorporate the information in multiple ways to ensure everyone remains interested while learning the lessons being taught. Similarly, I believe that the knowledge gained can help me to better meet the needs of children with disabilities.
Remember, balancing your secular pursuits and faith can be achieved if you allow God to direct you. He wants to be included in every area of your life. Talk with Him throughout your day and seek His guidance, He is truly your friend and won’t steer you wrong. Don’t view your time with Him as a check off on your to-do list, but vital to your everyday life. This is foundational for choosing a career and being able to live a balanced life, full of faith, family, and fun. God teaches us to prioritize and make an impact inside and outside of the four walls of our assemblies. The true balance of secular pursuits and faith is accomplished when our impact is evident in a world that so desperately needs us to be agents of change.
By Shenida Segnibo