Flourishing in your Vocation

by Ho Wan Leng

Numbers, matrix, financial performance, employees recruitment, exams scores, awards... Do more we bless, better still, do faster than the rest before everyone else, driven with achievement culture. No wonder AI took over....

Mid level manager at work, AI help to draft reports, within minutes. Report clean floor, thermomix cook in minutes, self driven taxis, buses, companion robots, track health and keep companies.

They cannot flourish because flourishing is uniquely human cos is tied to purpose and fruitfulness. They never replace the image of God in us. ai can analyse but no robots can pray wisdom and bring peace or shine Christ light in situation. Ai can complete task but only human can radiate Christ

In a world of common code, I am a special vessel

If all I do is functioning well, I can be sure I will be replace

We are called not just to function well but to flourish, no robot can replace you

Functioning well is doing your job with competence and diligence
Flourishing refers to the process of growing, thriving and becoming more like King Jesus

Bearing lasting fruit and impacting lives for God. We carry the fragrance of Christ, bring meaning, value and redemption into our marketplace.

Flourish not in what we do but Who we belong to

Big idea:
God wants us to thrive in our vocation beyond strife and performance

You're not your annual remuneration, profession or position but who God called me to be. To love Him, to serve him to glorify him

Before you were ever called to a vocation, you were called to Jesus to belong to Him as a child of God

Vocation is where I live out my calling, a God given assignment

You are called and not just employed. Your vocation is your God-given assignment

# Flourish beyond function

How do we flourish beyond function?

John 15:2-8
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


we are formed by destiny and flourish in fruitfulness

1. Commanded to Abide

Dwell, remain and stay close. Without him you cannot bear fruit that last. Abiding is a permanent heart posture, not a seasonal visit. Do go looking busy, successful but lifeless and empty within. Abide deeper.... Dwelling more in his presence, his words and obedience to surrender

Only those who abide in Christ will truly flourish and bear fruit that last so that we will be formed for destiny

2. Formed for Destiny

Paul did not become an apostle overnight. The pathway to destiny is not speed by abiding in Christ.

Destiny is an outcome of formation. Formation always precedes promotion from God. He chiselled us, refined us so that our character can carry the weight of our calling. David was anointed three times, shepherd, king of Judah, king over all Israel

First Anointing : The Call

1 Samuel 16:1-13
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.


David spent 13 to 15 years in hiddeness. God's timing is always perfect and always specific. He learned faithfulness, tending to sheep, intimacy with God, courage to fight.

God shapes us in the hidden places so we can stand in the public places. God called us as we are but will not leave us as we are.

The Call of God prepares what we will be but Pasture prepares what we must become. Saul died and his sons took over.... David was anointed second time.

David continue to wait....

Second Anointing : The Promotion

2 Samuel 2:1-7
In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah. When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The Lord bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.”


You often get hired for what you can do, but you get fired for who you are. Your competence must be matched by your character.

Don't despise your hidden and waiting season which are testing ground. Your Competence must be matched by your character.

Third Anointing : The Destiny Fulfilled

1 Samuel 5:1-4
All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.


Psalm 78:72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.


Waiting seasons are shaping seasons. Marketplace is where we face Failure, injustice, competition...

If we desire the crown without communion, if we desire the platform without the presence, if we desire influence without intimacy, then we miss the heartbeat of Jesus' calling in our lives.

3. Flourish and be Fruitful

You bear fruit of character that impact lives, not personal success, carry eternal significance bringing glory to the Father.

WIN-N-E-R
A winner who evangelizes, disciples and reproduces

Marketplace work is kingdom work. Your workplace is your mission field

Reclaim home, marketplace, community for the lord, people need the lord. Jesus doesn't want your output but He wants your heart

Good and faithful servant, not good and productive servant

You are called to Abide
You are formed for Destiny
You are meant to Flourish

Flourishing is to be Faithful, fruitfulness and fullness in Christ