Dear Steve,
I have a family member who I am concerned about. He is a bright and energetic fellow with great potential but has a difficulty launching into his career. He has a number of side jobs but has not fully utilized his BS degree. Is this an identity issue or what holds great students back from successful careers?
JC
Dear JC,
Your family member is blessed to have you “championing” his career launch. Your recognition of his attributes and great potential can indeed be a source of encouragement to him, especially if he is able to agree with your assessments. If he does agree, then his frustration is likely the source of your concern because your desire is surely that he have a fulfilling career path in which he can be blessed by a sense of accomplishment.
A key question is the extent to which your measure of success is congruent with his personal career goals. If these line up well, then he will have the advantage of knowing that you are “on his team,” so to speak. In that case, you have the potential to be part of the “solution” and he will welcome your advice. You can perhaps help with a possible identity issue by offering encouragement based on his “calling” coming into focus, with your insights to assist him.
If instead there is a mismatch between your vision for his success and his heartfelt desire then your concern may be an indicator of the need for your own adjustment of expectation, especially if he might be trying to “perform” or “succeed” according to your measure.
In either case, it is important to recognize that the plans the Lord has for him are not only good (see Jeremiah 29:11), but they are exquisitely designed for him. It is important for him (and you!) to gain progressive revelation of these wonderful plans and trust the Lord to direct his steps in seeing them realized (Proverbs 3:6) and to trust Him to direct your steps in your methodology of assistance. This reliance on the Lord is the ultimate solution for great students in general who may be feeling hindered in their career advancement.
Blessings in the discovery of the Lord’s plans for your family member, and your role in that quest,
Steve