I’m a software developer by trade. I write the code that runs on your work computer. I’ve written web sites that you may browse to each day. I write the games that some of you may play (well I’m kind of old-school, so perhaps not many people play them). In other words, I sit behind a computer a good part of the day and work on code. BTW: The picture to the left is me early in my career…long hair and all.
Where did I learn the skill? Well I picked up computers as a young boy, working on an old Commodore 64 and writing my first game and first compiler there. I dabbled in the inner workings of the system and made that machine do some crazy things back in the day. Over the years I upgraded my computer and it was a natural fit for me to jump into computer science once I got into college (even though I took a detour into electrical engineering for a few years).
I took a natural shine to it and I think I’m pretty decent at what I do. But really, where do any of us get our skills and talents?
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If the gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently, if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. – Romans 12:6-8
Usually, when I’ve read this verse in the past, I think these are talking about gifts specifically dealing with the ministry field. But, I’ve come to realize that our entire life should be a ministry, whether we work for the church or in a secular environment. We should remember that whatever we do for a career;
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. -Psalm 138:8
Rejoice in our labor
Another thing I’ve recently come to realize comes from a book of the Bible I can say I’ve not read very often.
To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life — that is indeed a gift from God – Ecclesiastes 5:19
The Bible makes it clear that God wants us to enjoy our work. He wants us to be successful;
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil — this is the gift of God. – Ecclesiastes 3:13
What better way to enjoy your toil, then to do a good job at it and enjoy the gifts and talents God has given to you. God has given me the gift of programming. I should rejoice in that and realize that since God doesn’t make mistakes, He’s taught me all that I know.
So let’s take that a step further. If God has given me the gift and He wants me to do well…..why not ask Him to help me in my work daily? When I come across a difficult problem at work and I’m struggling for a solution, I try and remember that nothing is too difficult for God, who gave me the wisdom that I have. I ask him to join me in my project and ask him to give me the wisdom I need to solve a problem…..it’s amazing that since I’ve been doing that, how much things seems to fall into place.
I love looking back at my day and seeing all the God moments. I wonder if I hadn’t asked Him to join me and asked for his help, how much longer I would have struggled. Problems haven’t gone away. I still sometimes have stressful meetings or projects, but I know that with God, the ultimate programmer, there is no problem I can’t solve.
Whether you’re a programmer or a plumber, whether you do sales for a living or work in management; ask God to come with you to work. Don’t just save your God time for Sunday’s. Invite Him to join you each and every day, each and every moment and see what difference that makes in your life and your career.
Exceptional Christian 
I have been thinking about God being a programmer a lot lately. He wrote the codes to create this world that we live in. I googled God is a software programmer and this came up. Great article. I got saved back in 2012. Jesus is changing my heart.
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Great to hear it Shane. I’ve just always thought that whatever we do, God gives us the skills and the know how to do what we do. Given that I’m a programmer by trade, it only makes sense that God must know all there is to know about computers / programming.
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Thank you so much for this post Jason. I believe in Jesus Christ & tries best to follow Him. I am not perfect but is grateful to God as i can see He has showered His Merciful Grace on me many times,though I am undeserving to have it.
I had been raised in Christian background, but somewhere in my teens ,many times doubted if there was God when it seemed to me that logical explanations were necessary for everything. But still i used to pray to God with my family to not to let me be away from Him. He had mercifully showed me He is there through personal experience. Afterwards, my mind wanted to know who is the true God & if I worshiped the true one. Then He mercifully showed again that He is the God from the Bible. From then I tried my best to be diligent in following our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ ‘s teachings & I dont want to be foolish in going away from the one True God.
But later, when i entered into the ‘job’ life, i sometimes get engulfed in worldly problems & forget that there is a God who is above all my problems & forget to ask His assistance. I forget that He also gave me many successes in my job & still i forget about him & get unnecessary worrying. I am also a software eng. from India. Sometimes I used to feel whether my choice of getting into the IT industry was a correct one , because sometimes i unnecessarily worry of having to work in future (I am just in the start of my career 1+ exp) all day long without getting the time to spend with God in personal prayer & with family.
But your post reminded me of the solution : TO ENJOY WORK & TO ASK GOD TO WORK WITH YOU. Even though i already knew it somewhere in my heart, i had forgotten it by being engulfed in the worldly problems. Your post reminded me of that insight. If we submit our works to God,enjoy our work in Him & ask His assistance, everything is fine & automatically set. This insight is helping me to work & live with happiness in God, hence I wanted to comment here to thank you.
So I thank you so much ,my brother in Jesus Christ for this post. I pray that you & your family be blessed abundantly in Jesus Christ,remain in Him,be filled with the Holy Spirit & do wonderful & great works in your life, glorifying our Loving,Forever-Holy,Just,Merciful Almighty Father in Heaven
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Frank, you life story sounds very similar to mine. I still struggle daily to be sure I include God at work. But I’ve noticed that when I do, when I really ask him to be there with me, my days are different. I know he is with me always, but when I consciously remember to include him in my work, he lets himself be known.
Thanks Frank for the comment and encouragement and God bless you and your family.
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Hi Jason, it’s great blessing reading your blog. I personally have drawn strength from your message, and it very inspiring. I wish we could have some sort of League or meeting of those who are of this same thought(software dev) online where one could have sometime to fellowship among people of like passion. I have a great passion for computing in general and software development in particular. I didn’t have the opportunity to get a formal degree in the subject but I taught myself how to program and dabble there in. I just wish to acknowledge how great your article is.
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Thanks for the encouragement, I love to hear how God is moving in others lives. I’ve thought too about finding an online community of sorts of Christian software developers to share experiences and fellowship with one another. I also thought it would be cool to see if there is some project we could all collaborate on to further God’s kingdom. I’ve yet to really find a thriving community out there, but hoping I find something or perhaps God will lead someone to start one up.
Thanks again for the kind words!
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