The Dreaded Question: What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?

My sister and I in front of our alma mater where the "what do you want to do with your life" questions began. Fun fact: They tore down all of our school buildings and built one really nice, gigantic school so I have actually never been in this building.

What do you want to do with your life?

At some point, this question has haunted every one of us during our lives.

It may have happened when you graduated from high school and you were supposed to make a lifelong career decision by picking a college major. Maybe it happened to you when you became a parent, and you did not know if you should work full-time, part-time, or not at all.

So. Many. Decisions.

Then, your kids went to school, giving you glorious silence during the day, and again, you wondered if this is what you should be doing with your time. I do not have experience in this, but I assume these thoughts happen again when you have an empty nest or retire.

What do you want to do with your life?

For many years, I dreaded this question.

I am now in my mid-thirties. I have a clearer idea, but it is still not very concrete. In fact, you may not like my answer one bit.

Do you want to know what I plan to do with my life?

Whatever God puts in front of me.

Young Lauren would have thought that answer was a cop-out. I totally understand that working hard is a biblical trait.

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.' Colossians 3:23 NIV

Doing our best is always possible whether we have a clear purpose or taking it day-by-day.

I believe that God gives each one of us passions and talents. I have even heard people say that our calling is where an earthly need and our passion meet, which is true. Some of our future occupations are just a little more obvious than others.