Working for My Father

“What do you do?”

This question comes up within the first five minutes of meeting a new person. It also comes up when I run into acquaintances who know I have finished my last gig as a homeschooling parent. I’m not sure how to answer this question anymore. This question is loaded with many parts: How are you contributing to this world? Are you dependent on others to support you? Are you lazy? Are you useful? Are you interesting? Are you worthy? How do you fit into this world? Are you higher or lower in the world’s hierarchy than I am?

John the Baptist faced a similar question:

^“When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest. He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.”

They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?”

“I am not.”

“The Prophet?”

“No.”

 Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything!—about yourself.”

 “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.” (John 1:19-23 MSG)

I’m sure that went over well! If someone said that now, it would be a sure sign craziness. When I see someone on a sidewalk preaching or shouting Bible verses—I get as far away from them as possible.

I’ve also noticed how scientists, physicians, musicians, and athletes are viewed as less credible when they start speaking or writing about spirituality.

I don't think there is any way to speak or write about God and Spiritual things without appearing a bit kooky.

In some ways, our credibility is diminished when we speak of things that are beyond rational thought or conventional beliefs. I am aware that this happens every time I write one of these blog posts.

When someone asks me, “What do you do?”—I wish I had the courage to answer: “I work for my Father, helping out with His business.”

But then I would have to explain, and that would definitely make me appear kooky.