One of my favourite bands at the moment is a Christian brother duo with the unusual moniker "For King and Country".
In an interview about the origin's of their name, band founder Joel Smallbone said,
We wanted a band name that carried more meaning. We were in the studio recording our debut record that Joel had the idea of All The King's Men, like the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. Our producer overheard our conversation and swung around in his chair and said, 'What about For King & Country?' And we all felt a sense of providence in that moment. "For King and Country" was the battle cry of English soldiers willing to lay down their lives for their king and their country. And now it has become our mission, to lay down our lives for our King and our country.
“Live your life with your eyes not fixed solely on yourself, but on the interests and security of others.”
I was reminded of these brothers' inspirational life- mission this week when Phil and Nathan from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) spoke to our senior students at Assembly last Tuesday. That notion of living your life for someone and something bigger than just yourself - it's quite an admirable virtue, a Christ-like virtue one might even say. And in one sense, that's what a career in the ADF could provide; an opportunity to build and grow your skills and interests, and perhaps on a bigger more global scheme, a practical means to serve your people, your country and even your God. To live your life with your eyes not fixed solely on yourself, but on the interests and security of others. This is quite counter-cultural to the messages secular society bombards us with, but isn't it a message that resonates with that desire we all have to see this world a better place?
While the ADF may not be something that appeals to every person, certainly that notion of living out your life to bless, support and serve others should be. If you are thinking about careers, I would encourage you to think about your life-mission and whether your employment would create opportunities for that to be demonstrated.
Carly Brouwer — Pathways Coordinator