Q: I’ve been unemployed for over three months and I collect unemployment insurance.
Quite frankly, I enjoy the “vacation” and have stopped looking for a job.
This is great but I have to certify that I’m still job hunting.
Is that OK? It’s my money, isn’t it?
A: I believe the money came from your employer as part of our fair labor laws.
It’s intent was to cushion the trauma of job loss for everyone.
The danger is to claim it as a personal “right,” and then abuse it.
Your dilemma is twofold. First, continuing to be dishonest under the
rules and expectations of this “insurance.”
And Second, “resting on ‘your’ laurels.”
I think you already know the answer to the dishonesty part.
Your heart is telling you that.
In order to answer the second part ask yourself: “What does Christ need me to do? What has God prepared me for?”
This is a much harder question, but it gets to the core of why we work in the first place.
It’s clear that God challenges us to actively support ourselves as much as we possibly can.
And that we also support each other as well, (especially when there are serious limitations such as handicaps, unforeseen circumstances, etc.)
This is the reason for the "unemployment insurance" benefits that you are blessed with.
In many countries you would simply be out of luck!
As someone who is wanting do know God's will, you need to actively seek God’s “vocation,” that is, what God is calling you to do.
It may be easy, such as identifying the talents, skills and aptitudes you love to do.
Or it may only come after some long soul searching with some real "trial and error."
But in the end you will find great satisfaction as you explore it and live it out.
It may cause you to change your standard of living, but your standard of loving is sure to go up.
Get going, discover where Christ wants you to be, where Christ needs you to be!
Your vacation is over.
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