"What Do You Want To Be?" vs. "What Do You Want To Do?"

As a boy, when people asked me what I wanted to be, I told them a teacher, a police officer, a doctor, etc. Of course, it changed as years went by. However, as years went by, people's questions changed also: "What do you want to do?"

 I bet you will hardly ever hear people asking you, "What do you want to be?" They ask about your major then ask you what you want to do with it. How come it changes as you get older? Somehow, it's not about becoming someone but doing something.

There are two concepts I can think of to talk about this.

1. When you become something, you enjoy what you are doing. It becomes a part of your life and you let it influence you on what you do. When you are a student, there are so many things that you are involved with such as classes, social life, college activities, etc; however, when you are studying a major, it almost feels like  you are an outsider.

I know it's a really confusing concept but let me put it this way. If you are "being," you are an insider of that field/paradigm but if you are "doing," you are an outsider trying to learn what is inside. If that doesn't make any sense, I am sorry. You try to figure it out and let me know.

2. In the gospel way of thinking about it is the easiest way for me. We are all trying to be like Christ and there are, of course, things we can do to become like Him. However, when you are doing things, are you becoming or are you simply doing? To me, becoming like Him means that we get rid of who we were before and make His attributes become ours. Let me put it this way: do you have to remind yourself to be nice to people or are you just nice to people? If you have to remind yourself, you are doing. If you are generally nice to people, you are becoming. I am not condemning people who are still doing/trying because I believe that you can make those things as  your characteristics; however, if you are not making them into a part of you, you are only doing.

Now, let me ask you which would be more appropriate question to ask: "what do you want to be?" or "what do you want to do?" I say both. However, it depends on how you answer. Many Christians would say, "I want to become like Christ." Very true. I won't argue with that because that's my goal also. However, I would add another answer for myself: "I want to be loved."

It's up to you how you answer these questions. You can be funny and witty about them or you can be totally serious. However, maybe you should take your time and think about what it means to you to be someone and do something with your life.