Starting my career, I needed the right answers to three questions:
- Who should be my ultimate mentor?
- How should I approach tenure and promotion, rewards and accolades, recognition and notoriety?
- What are my success criteria?
My thoughts after 35 years:
#1 Who should be my ultimate mentor?
Jesus is the highest and most knowledgeable in any field! Rev 4:11; John 1:1-3; Gen 1:1. Jesus knows what’s true across any discipline. Only Jesus knows for what we are made and gifted. He knows the best area of each field, best research questions, best teaching practices, best grant areas, and best service emphases.
To whom should one turn first with questions when unsure, when stuck on anything? Jesus can be accessed through prayer, and His Spirit can direct every professional decision of those who submit themselves to Him, the ultimate expert and mentor.
My story: I never achieved a consistent level of direct submission to Jesus’s all-knowing expertise. While I often prayed, I was not submissive to the all-knowing expert in Education.
#2. How should I approach tenure and promotion, rewards and accolades, recognition and notoriety?
Realize that God has blessed each with the upbringing, opportunity, education, and positions acquired. The all-knowing God has individually placed each professor for the purpose of glorifying Him – NOT self-glorification. Focus on Col 3:23-24; 3:1-3; and 3:17; 1Cor 10:31; John 6:27; Eph 2:10. Rest in the results (and non-results) of God-honoring efforts. Let God be an audience of one – work to please Him; trust His compassionate care.
If tenure is denied, He has other, better plans. One’s identity is not in receiving promotion and tenure;. Jesus’ gracious plan is always the best one.
My story: With a tenure decision rapidly approaching, I needed a couple of good publications and some major presentations – within nine months. As a young believer, for the first time, I truly submitted my job and profession to God. I would do whatever He wanted.
Simultaneously God was showing me that I needed to spend more time with my wife. One night on the couch at home, she nervously asked, “Shouldn’t you be at work?” and I had to explain what God was telling me.
Nine months later, ten national presentations had been accepted and two major articles. It was all of God. I got tenured and promoted and I started over again at a larger, more demanding university. This time I didn’t worry about it; I was trusting God.
#3. What are my success criteria?
1) Contentment — 1Tim 6:6.
2) Feeling God’s pleasure in my toil – Eccles 3:13.
3) Sensing the ultimate commendation from my audience of one — Matt 25:21.
My story: My life of sanctification involved many years of growing in using these success measurements. They apply to all of life.
I encourage you to ask these questions as early in your career as possible. God will answer, and your career will be marked by His grace and mercy.
Bill Fisk
Teacher Education
Clemson University