Feeling Like an Employee of God?
It’s Time to Embrace Your Adoption
In the rhythm of our faith journeys, we often encounter moments that challenge our understanding of who we are in relation to God. It’s easy to get caught up in the doing, in the striving for excellence in ministry or daily life, forgetting the core of our relationship with God.
Austin French, a contemporary Christian artist, shared his personal experiences with Family Life Radio and gave us an insightful look into these very challenges. His journey sheds light on the importance of recognizing our identity as children of God and trusting in His divine plan for our lives.
When Ministry Becomes a Burden
Austin candidly recounted a season in his life: “I caught myself feeling more like an employee of God,” he admitted. This revelation came during a time filled with traveling, singing and preaching—a period that, while fulfilling, led to feelings of exhaustion and disconnection from the purpose of his work.
“In fact, I was on a tour with Unspoken, and I remember it was kind of the beginning of my career. I think I was just starting to put out my first single, to tune on the radio to hear stuff, doing all the liners and all these things that are really good things. But when they become the main thing, you just feel exhausted; you feel worn out; you feel burnt out … like, why am I doing all this?”
Austin’s experience is not unique. Many of us have felt overwhelmed by our responsibilities, even those we take on in pursuing the kingdom of God and sharing the gospel, to the point where our actions feel more like obligations than expressions of love and faith. It’s a subtle shift that can lead to burnout and a sense of estrangement from God.
A conversation with Chad from Unspoken sparked a pivotal realization for Austin. “[Chad] just spoke into my life and said, ‘I think you probably feel more like an employee of God, but really, you are always destined to be a child of God. See, doing things in ministry is not bad, right? Like having a ministry that’s busy is not bad. But when it becomes the main thing, the work we forget that we’re supposed to just sit in the blessing of being adopted into the kingdom of God.’”
Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'” (ESV). Your relationship with God is but familial. You are not striving for approval; you’re His beloved child, embraced by His unconditional love.
The day Austin met his oldest son, whom he and his wife later adopted, he felt God’s presence and heard His voice clearer than ever: “You’re his daddy.”
This immediate, overwhelming love for his son mirrored the love God has for us—a love so profound and unconditional that it can alter the course of our lives.
Austin said, “It was just this all sense of, whoa, God, this is how you feel about me! And man, oof! It was just so real. I still just get chills thinking about that moment because it changed my life forever! But it was also that moment where it was undeniable. Just the presence of God calling me to something that was never on my radar.”
Embrace Your Identity as God’s Child
The first step in navigating our faith journey is to embrace our identity as God’s children. This means shifting our focus from seeking approval through our works to living in the joy of being loved by God. It’s about understanding that our value in God’s eyes is not based on what we do but on who we are in Him.
To cultivate this identity, spend time in prayer and meditation, reflecting on God’s love and your place in His family. Engage with scripture that reaffirms your status as a beloved child of God, and let this truth permeate your thoughts and actions.
Trust in God’s Plan
Trusting in God’s plan, especially when it diverges from our own, can be daunting. Yet, Austin’s story reminds us that God’s plans for us are born out of His infinite love and wisdom. When faced with unexpected turns in life, lean into your faith and remember that God is with you, guiding you towards His best for you.
Practical ways to build this trust include journaling about your fears and hopes, seeking counsel from trusted mentors or friends and looking for God’s presence in the daily moments of your life. Recognizing that God is at work, even in the challenges, can help you embrace His plan with confidence and peace.
Encouragement for the Journey
Your journey is unique, filled with its own set of challenges and moments of divine clarity. You may encounter times when you feel more like an employee of God than His child. In those moments, recall the truth that you are deeply loved and valued by God, not for what you do, but for who you are.
Similarly, when God’s plan seems unclear or leads you in an unexpected direction, trust in His love and guidance. Embrace the journey, knowing that God is with you every step of the way, calling you to a deeper relationship with Him.
Austin’s experiences—feeling like an employee of God and then encountering God’s presence in a powerful, personal way—offer valuable lessons for us all. By embracing our identity as God’s children and trusting in His plan, we can navigate the ups and downs of our faith journey with His grace and confidence.
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