Embrace Our Calling

Immanuel Labor: Discovering God's Calling in Every Job (Interview with Russell Gehrlein)

Is your work meaningful? Does your job matter to God? In this episode, I'm honored to interview Russell Gehrlein, author of "Immanuel Labor," about discovering God's presence in every type of work—from math teaching to ministry to military service. Russell spent 20 years in the US Army as a Master Sergeant and nearly 20 more as a Department of Army civilian. But he's also been a math teacher, youth minister, and now an author published on major Christian platforms like The Gospel Coalition. His unique career path reveals a profound truth: God is with us in our work, not just on Sunday mornings. If you're struggling with: - Finding your God-given calling - Wondering if your "secular" job has spiritual value - Navigating career transitions with faith - Experiencing burnout or questioning your purpose- Balancing work, family, and ministry ...then this conversation is for you. In this interview, Russell shares: ✓ How to discover the "thread" connecting different seasons of your career ✓ Why "sacred vs. secular work" is a dangerous myth (and how it affected his faith) ✓ What it means to experience Immanuel Labor—God with us—in your daily tasks ✓ Real stories from military service, maintenance work, and leadership ✓ How your spiritual gifts apply to ALL your work, not just church ministry ✓ Why the Good Samaritan principle matters for your workplace ✓ A powerful message for the next generation about finding purpose Russell's story will challenge you to see your work—whether you're a teacher, engineer, parent, business owner, or military personnel—as a platform for God's kingdom. Key Topics Covered: Career transitions, calling and purpose, theology of work, Christian leadership, military faith, work-life balance, spiritual gifts, finding meaning at work, God's presence in daily work, career guidance for Christians, identity in Christ vs. career success About Russell Gehrlein: Russell is the author of "Immanuel Labor: God's Presence in Your Profession" (International Impact Book Award winner). He has written 400+ articles on faith and work, published on platforms including The Gospel Coalition, and holds a degree in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He's a grandfather of five, a devoted mentor, and a living example of how God works through us in every profession. Read his blog at https://regehrlein.wordpress.com/ About Embrace Our Calling: This podcast helps Christian young adults and professionals discover and embrace their God-given calling. Whether you're navigating career transitions, struggling with workplace stress, or seeking deeper purpose, join Marcus Mok as he explores the intersection of faith, work, and calling. 🎁 SPECIAL BOOK GIVEAWAY We're giving away 15 Kindle copies and 10 paperback copies of "Emmanuel Labor" by Russell Gehrlein! How to Enter: If you're watching on YouTube: - Drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway from this interview or a question about finding God's calling in your work - Email me at marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com with your name, the link to your comment, and your location - Winners will be selected and notified via email If you're listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: - Email me at marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com with the subject "Immanuel Labor Giveaway" - Include your name, location, and what resonated most from this interview - Winners will be selected and notified Giveaway will end once all books are given away. Winners chosen from both YouTube comments and email submissions. 00:00 - Interview Highlights 02:00 - Introduction to Russell Gehrlein 03:00 Russell's Career Journey: Teacher → Youth Minister → Military → Author 07:11 - The Struggle With Secular vs Sacred Work  12:34 - The Birth of 'Immanuel Labor' Concept 16:54 - Military Service: Immanuel Labor in Uniform 21:56 - Seminary Education & Developing the Theology of Work 25:41 - Writing Journey: 400 Blog Articles on Faith & Work 31:20 - A Message to the Next Generation 33:34 - Special Book Giveaway!

Five Ways The Gospel Redeems Your Work | Theology of Work Pt. 3

Are you struggling to find meaning in your Monday mornings? Does work feel broken, frustrating, or pointless? In this episode, I share 5 powerful ways the Gospel completely redeems your work—not just makes it slightly better, but transforms it completely.We've explored how God designed work to be good (Episode 16) and how sin corrupted it (Episode 17). Now discover the hope that changes everything: how the Gospel gives your work a new story, shifts your focus from self to service, anchors your identity in God's love, creates sustainable passion, and shapes a distinctive work ethic marked by humble excellence.Whether you're an accountant, teacher, hawker, software engineer, or stay-at-home parent—this episode will help you see your work through the lens of redemption and discover that your labor in the Lord is never in vain.📖 IN THIS EPISODE:0:00 - Introduction: The Gospel Transforms Work0:58 - Way #1: The Gospel Gives Your Work a New Story2:43 - Way #2: The Gospel Shifts Your Focus from Self to Service4:13 - Sponsor: Shortform Book Summaries5:26 - Way #3: The Gospel Gives You True Identity and Real Rest7:30 - Way #4: The Gospel Creates Genuine, Sustainable Passion8:57 - Way #5: The Gospel Shapes a Distinctive Work Ethic11:45 - Closing: What This Means for Monday Morning🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:📚 "Every Good Endeavor" by Timothy Keller - The book that inspired this series📖 Try Shortform FREE for 20% off your subscription:https://shortform.com/eoc 🎧 Previous Episodes in Theology of Work Series:- Episode 16: Why Work Matters to Godhttps://youtu.be/PRiyWlX_toA - Episode 17: How Sin Corrupted Our Workhttps://youtu.be/y9QRrhhNiq0 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS:✅ Your work has a place in God's redemption story (Creation-Fall-Redemption-Renewal)✅ Work is about serving others, not self-promotion✅ Your identity is secure in Christ, not your performance✅ Gospel-fueled passion is sustainable and doesn't burn out✅ Christians can demonstrate humble excellence—working hard while holding results loosely📱 CONNECT WITH ME:🌐 Website: https://embraceourcalling.com📸 Instagram: @embraceourcalling👍 Facebook: Embrace Our Calling🙏 SUPPORT THIS PODCAST:If this episode encouraged you, please:👍 Like this video💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell for new episodes📤 Share with someone struggling with work right now🎯 WHO IS THIS FOR?This episode is for Christian young professionals and adults seeking to:✅ Discover their God-given calling✅ Integrate faith with their career✅ Find purpose beyond the paycheck✅ Navigate work-life balance✅ Overcome burnout and work disappointment✅ Experience Gospel transformation in their workplace📌 ABOUT EMBRACE OUR CALLING:Embrace Our Calling is the podcast for Christians pursuing purpose with passion. I'm Marcus Mok, an educator in Singapore, learning to embrace God's purpose in my own work and calling. In each episode, I share practical career tips, biblical truths, and encouragement to help you navigate transitions, overcome challenges, and embrace your God-given calling.TAGS:#ChristianPodcast #TheologyOfWork #CallingAndVocation #FaithAndWork #GospelCentered #ChristianYoungProfessionals #WorkLifeBalance #PurposeDriven #SingaporeChristian #CareerAdvice #BiblicalWisdom #TimothyKeller #EveryGoodEndeavor #WorkplaceMinistry #ChristianLeadership

Why Does Work Feel So Hard?

Ever felt like your work is just… pointlessness on repeat? Like you're grinding day after day, but deep down asking, "What's the point?" Whether you're a teacher drowning in admin, stuck in a mid-career fog, or even serving in ministry feeling drained—this video is for you.In this episode, we dive into why work feels so hard and frustrating, even when you're doing what you love. Drawing from Tim Keller's "Every Good Endeavor," we explore the four ways work becomes toxic: fruitless, pointless, selfish, and idolatrous. You'll discover why even the best jobs come with thorns and thistles, and how understanding this biblical reality can actually give you hope instead of leaving you discouraged.This isn't about positive thinking or finding the perfect career—it's about facing the reality of work in a broken world while discovering a framework for perseverance that leads to hope, not despair.📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:- "Every Good Endeavor" by Timothy Keller - Get the full book guide on Shortform and save 20% using my affiliate link: https://shortform.com/eoc 🎙️ ABOUT EMBRACE OUR CALLING:I'm Marcus Mok, an educator in Singapore, and this podcast is for Christians who want to discover and live out their God-given calling with passion and purpose. Through solo episodes and interviews, we explore practical career tips, biblical truths, and real encouragement for your faith journey.🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes on faith, work, and calling!💬 COMMENT BELOW:Which of the four types of broken work (fruitless, pointless, selfish, or idolatrous) resonates most with your current struggle? Share your experience below—you're not alone in this!🌐 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://embraceourcalling.comInstagram: @embraceourcallingEmail: marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com📖 NEXT EPISODE: Now that we've diagnosed the problem, how does the Gospel actually transform our approach to work? Subscribe so you don't miss it!---

Is Work a CURSE or God's GIFT? The Truth About Your Job | Theology of Work series

Is work just a necessary evil? A curse we have to endure? What if I told you that work was actually God's design from the very beginning—before sin, before the fall, before anything went wrong?In this episode, we're kicking off Season 2 with a powerful 3-part series on the Theology of Work, and today we're answering the first big question: Why do we NEED work to lead fulfilling lives?Drawing from Timothy Keller's transformative book "Every Good Endeavor," we'll explore:✅ Why God was working from the very beginning (and what that means for you)✅ The Cultural Mandate - God's invitation for you to partner with Him✅ Why EVERY job has dignity and purpose (yes, even yours!)✅ How Martin Luther revolutionized our understanding of calling✅ The surprising connection between work and worship✅ Why rest is just as important as workWhether you're a teacher, accountant, carpenter, CEO, or security guard—this episode will transform how you see your Monday morning. Your work isn't just a paycheck. It's a calling. It's partnership with God Himself.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Is Work a Curse?00:27 - Introduction: Season 2 Theology of Work01:17 - God's Original Design for Work03:15 - The Cultural Mandate Explained04:25 - SPONSOR: Shortform Book Guides05:30 - Greek View vs Biblical View of Labor06:25 - Martin Luther's Revolutionary Idea ‎of Work08:23 - The Work-Rest Rhythm08:58 - Next Week Preview + Outro📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:- "Every Good Endeavor" by Timothy Keller - Get the full book guide on Shortform and save 20% using my affiliate link: https://shortform.com/eoc 🎙️ ABOUT EMBRACE OUR CALLING:I'm Marcus Mok, an educator in Singapore, and this podcast is for Christians who want to discover and live out their God-given calling with passion and purpose. Through solo episodes and interviews, we explore practical career tips, biblical truths, and real encouragement for your faith journey.🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes on faith, work, and calling!💬 COMMENT BELOW:What's one way you've seen your work serve others this week? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear your story!🌐 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://embraceourcalling.comInstagram: @embraceourcallingEmail: marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com📖 NEXT EPISODE: If work is meant to be good, why does it feel so HARD? We're tackling the tough reality of work's frustrations, futility, and brokenness. Subscribe so you don't miss it!---#ChristianPodcast #TheologyOfWork #CallingAndPurpose #TimothyKeller #EveryGoodEndeavor #ChristianLiving #FaithAndWork #BiblicalWorldview #WorkLifeFaith #ChristianCareer #PurposeDriven #GodsDesign #SingaporeChristian #EmbraceOurCalling #MarcusMok

Season 1 Finale Recap and Teaser for Season 2

[EPISODE 15] Season 1 Finale Recap and Teaser for Season 2! | Embrace Our Calling PodcastWow, we made it to Episode 15! I can't believe how much we've discovered together this season.In this finale, I'm getting real about what I've learned alongside you - from figuring out that calling isn't a lightning bolt moment (it's more like putting together a puzzle piece by piece), to discovering that Christian productivity looks totally different from hustle culture, to understanding that burnout isn't a moral failure but sometimes God's way of redirecting us.I'll take you through our biggest breakthroughs, share what personally surprised me most about this journey, and give you a sneak peek at Season 2 where we're diving deep into the theology of work and tackling workplace stress from a Christian perspective.Whether you've been with me since Episode 1 or you're just discovering us, this is the perfect episode to reflect on how God might be calling you to live more purposefully right where you are.--- WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:• Christian productivity is about doing what matters, not just doing more.• Burnout is not a moral failure but a sign to refuel spiritually.• Our calling is intertwined with our everyday life and actions.• There are no perfect formulas for discovering your calling.• God is present with us in our calling journey.• Teaching others often leads to personal learning and growth.• The importance of community in understanding one's calling.• Your calling is about who you are becoming in Christ.--- KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU] Introduction00:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=55s] How to Find Your Calling series01:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=115s] Interview: Kenneth Kwan's Entrepreneurial Journey02:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=157s] Productivity, Habits, and Faith series 03:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=213s] Overcoming Burnout series04:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=284s] Season 1 Summary05:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=334s] Looking Ahead to Season 206:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECGBp0NhGU&t=392s] Final Thoughts on Season 1--- MISSED THE PAST EPISODES?• How to Find Your Calling series * Ep 2: 4 A's Calling Framework    • The 4 A's Framework: How to Discover Your ...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7o6QH0cOmQ] * Ep 3: Abilities -    • How to Discover Your God-Given Abilities a...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTkw9HO0zpg] * Ep 4: Affinity -    • Affinity - Beyond Following Your Passion   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDFse8l2f1A] * Ep 5: Awareness-    • Holy Discontent: The Key to Finding Your P...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izpHYoNSbJk] * Ep 6: Access-    • Why Can’t I Access My Calling? (And What T...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MfmCsQdx7Y] * Ep 8:    • Atomic Habits for Busy Christians: How to ...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo2olVlGyCM] * Ep 9:    • 7 Habits to Keep Your Christian Calling in...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gUen3XwGJE] * Burnout: The Dark Side of Calling?    • The Dark Side of Calling? How Burnout Affe...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35u5Axwwka4] * G.R.A.C.E. Framework:    • Healing from Burnout by G.R.A.C.E. | Embra...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0cUif6MbFw] * Sabbath:    • How Sabbath Kept Me from Burning Out (And ...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EyDmpCMSQw] • Interview with Kenneth Kwan (Engineer-turned-Entrepreneur)   • From Engineer to Kingdom Entrepreneur: Ken...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVVNwF5C58E]• Christian Productivity & Habits series • Overcoming Burnout series--- CONNECT WITH MARCUS• Website: https://embraceourcalling.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2tzdVZYal85QllKTXBkWlZTR1gxWW43OUowQXxBQ3Jtc0tuRlFUYXBCYU52a0x6OVF3STduU04yejFLQ2xkcHprejg3V3N5WGYyOXF2aTU3VG1VdEs2Y1hBYlI5MkF6cEdmcjJYRlFycC1uVDNfVUFQQXQzdUstMGxqVVFnazhjc1pyMmtUbkw2OFFDRVdBX2xDVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fembraceourcalling.com%2F&v=dECGBp0NhGU]• Instagram: @EmbraceOurCalling• Email: marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com👉 SUBSCRIBE for Season 2 Updates!---ABOUT THE HOST: Marcus Mok is an educator and podcaster in Singapore passionate about helping Christians discover their God-given calling. Through his experience in education and theological studies, he guides listeners in navigating the intersection of faith and work, helping them embrace their unique purpose with biblical wisdom and practical insights. Embrace Our Calling is a podcast dedicated to helping Christians discover and live out their God-given calling. New episodes are released biweekly.#christianpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianpodcast] #Calling [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/calling] #Purpose [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/purpose] #Burnout [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/burnout] #Recovery [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/recovery] #GRACEframework [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/graceframework] #Faith [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faith] #ChristianLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianlife] #Vocation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/vocation] #Sabbath [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sabbath] #embraceourcalling [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/embraceourcalling] #faithhabits [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithhabits] #faithandwork [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithandwork] #entrepreneur [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneur]