When her husband, Doug, had sounded disappointed on the phone at the news she was working late, Katie had reasoned with him that it would only be until her upcoming presentation. Then if all went well and she got the promotion she’d been longing for, she might be able to cut back on her hours. In reality she knew she would probably have to work long hours more often to keep up and remain competitive. Katie had always thought God honored hard work, but lately she felt convicted over her long hours.

God does want us to work hard, but if we’re honest, our careers can become our idols, a source of misplaced ambition and pride or perhaps a symptom of materialism. Single women with few family obligations can be tempted to find their identity in their careers instead of in Christ. Pressure from coworkers and bosses can cause working moms to invest more into their work than in ministering to their families. If you think your career may be consuming your life, taking precedence over God or family, pray for His help in prioritizing your life, opening yourself to His wise counsel. And be certain you’re finding your identity only in Him.

“The path of the upright is a highway,” the Bible says (Prov. 15:19), not a closed course with no off-ramps. Ask God what choices He wants you to make.