Considering the Uniqueness of Our Calling

One of our granddaughters recently graduated from firefighter school. We’re proud of her, knowing the important services she will provide for people in emergency situations. We see the work of first responders in the news, and numerous TV shows reflect some of the intensity of their jobs, but I wonder how many of us fully appreciate the wonderful – and dangerous – work they do.

 

Frankly, I can’t imagine following that career path myself, even if I were younger and a career change were an option. But that’s the wonderful thing about our differences as individuals: We each possess unique gifts, skills and passions. It’s truly a blessing when we have opportunities to pursue them and put them into use in the form of a vocation.

 

The word “vocation” actually comes from the Latin verb “voco/vocare,” which means “to call.” From this we have the term “calling,” which typically refers to the unique, special work one feels called to devote their lives to doing. We’ve all heard of musicians, composers and artists who demonstrated unusual talents at early ages. They had little choice in the matter – it’s what they were born to do.

 

In my case, I grew up being a prolific reader and from that developed a strong desire to write. I remember assigning myself writing projects, just for fun, even in my pre-teen years. The encouragement from my English teachers and then the training I gained in journalism school fanned this into a passion and before long, my calling was clear.

 

Often people have said to me, “I don’t know how you can write.” To which I’ve responded, depending on who I was talking with, “Well, I don’t know how you can fix a leaky faucet/repair a car/perform surgery/teach middle school students/fly an airplane.”

 

Recognizing one’s calling, fueled by passion, can lead to a successful, enjoyable career. In fact, someone has said – I’ve forgotten the source but it’s too good not to share – “Passion tops talent. Throw your heart over the fence and your body will follow.”

 

This may be one reason that sometimes folks who graduated at the top of their class might not be nearly as accomplished as people who didn’t earn as high grades. Their passion for what they do has carried them to greater heights.

 

Sometimes one’s work doesn’t align with their passion. Ideally work and passion can align, but that’s often not the case. I knew a CPA who was very good at his job, but his passion was music. He knew he could never earn as much as a musician as he did producing spreadsheets and crunching numbers. So, he plied his trade as a corporate accountant during the week, then performed in a band on the weekend. For him, it was win-win.

 

But there’s an even more important way that passion can guide us to our calling and make it even more fulfilling. It’s by recognizing that the gifts, talents, abilities and opportunities we have were given to us by God. It’s appropriate, then, to dedicate what we do to the Lord. In this way, we not only enjoy what we’re doing, but we also bring honor and glory to Him in the process.

 

The Bible has much to say about this. Here is just a sampling of passages that relate to our work and calling:

 

Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Then, just a few verses later, the apostle Paul reaffirms, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

 

The story is told of the stonemason centuries ago who was busily laying bricks for a new church. Someone asked what he was doing, to which he proudly replied, “I’m building a cathedral!” If only more people took such delight in their work today. We read these words of agreement in 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

 

Then we have the admonition Paul gave to his protégé Timothy – and to us: “[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace…” (2 Timothy 1:9). The Lord first called us to be His children, and then gave to each us a unique calling in which we can serve Him and others.

Like the stonemason, our calling – fueled by passion and the power of the Holy Spirit – can enable us to build a cathedral! 

When God Instructs Us to ‘Do Nothing’

Many of us are products of the so-called Protestant work ethic which puts a high premium on productivity and personal initiative. It’s an oversimplification, I know, but we learned that if you need or want something, the best method for getting it is to work for it. 

 

This overall philosophy of work and its rewards still holds true today, although it’s not as widely embraced as it once was. This “work ethic” long ago filtered its way into the spiritual realm, prompting many seekers to wonder if they’ve done enough, if they’re good enough, to earn God’s favor. 

 

However, working, we might even call it performing, to gain God’s approval runs counter to New Testament teachings. Many passages affirm the concept of grace – the Lord’s undeserved, unmerited favor – but the first one I always think off is Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

 

By God’s grace, we respond to Him in faith and receive His gift of salvation and eternal life. But what about our works? Are they unimportant? The next verse, Ephesians 2:10 elaborates, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Yes, the Lord wants and expects us to do good works, but not to receive salvation. Our works should be motivated by the reality and recognition that we have received salvation – we respond out of love and gratitude for what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us. As Titus 3:5 asserts, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

 

When we read in Philippians 2:12, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” it’s not a command to work for God’s acceptance but an admonition to work out what God has already put into us. The next verse clarifies, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” What a blessing and a privilege it is to be used by the Lord to accomplish His perfect plan.

 

So, we can rest in the knowledge that if we’re His children, there’s nothing we can do to make God love us more – and nothing we can do to make Him love us less. We can point to one passage that actually seems to instruct followers of Christ to do nothing.

 

Those verses are Philippians 2:3-4, in which we’re told, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

 

Okay, this passage isn’t directing us to literally do nothing, to sit idly on a stump. It’s more about the motivation behind whatever we’re doing and the spirit in which we’re doing it. In our actions, words and thoughts, God desires for us to put Him and others first. 

 

This can be challenging in our contemporary society that often promotes self above all things. Even some of the popular Christian praise songs these days seem more about “me” and “I” than they are about the God of all creation and Jesus Christ, His Son. We could say they’re more about “me-ology” than theology.

 

What if we started each day and reminded ourselves repeatedly during the course of each day to “do nothing” – to check ourselves by evaluating whether we’re acting out of “selfishness or empty conceit,” or “in humility regarding others as more important that ourselves,” as another translation expresses Philippians 2:3?

 

Humility might seem like a vanishing virtue in today’s world when pride is placed on a pedestal. But imagine the difference we could make by consciously seeking to “look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others,” as the following verse admonishes.

Such a radical approach to life and the personal encounters we have each day, even more than the best conceived evangelistic strategies, could enable us to fit the description of being “blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15). Wouldn’t that be worth a try? 

We Need a New Perspective About Labor

With another Labor Day upon us, perhaps it’s time not only to recognize the value of laborers – workers whose services we all benefit from – but also to hit the “refresh” button for what we think about labor (work) itself.

These days much of the conversation seems centered around compensation for work: What the guaranteed minimum wage should be, if there should be a guaranteed minimum wage at all. I won’t wade into that debate, but I’m concerned that we’re greatly devaluing work if all we’re concerned about is how much we’re paid for doing it, along with benefits like health insurance and vacation time.

Because from the start, God ordained work. He placed humankind here on earth not to spend all of our time stopping to smell the roses. He had things for us to do. In the opening chapter of Genesis, it says:

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every living creature that moves on the ground…. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food'” (Genesis 1:28-20).

Later, Adam and Eve committed the fatal sin of eating from the one tree in the garden of Eden whose fruit was taboo for them. One of the consequences was that from that point on, work became hard: “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you…. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…” (Genesis 3:17-19).

Imagine, before their fateful fall from temptation into sin, Eve would ask Adam at the end of his work day, “Hi, hon! How was your day?” and he would respond, “No sweat!” Then they went and ruined everything.

Yes, work became difficult, challenging, even frustrating. But that didn’t make it bad. One of my favorite passages in the Scriptures concerning work is Colossians 3:23-24, which admonishes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” As if the nameplate on the boss’s desk were to read, “The Lord,” or “Jesus Christ.”

The book of Ecclesiastes, which has a lot to say about work and its role in our lives, says similarly, “Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). We work to earn a living; there’s no question about that. But ultimately, if we believe the Bible, that livelihood also comes from God. 

James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” This assurance applies to many things, but we can be assured that work and the provision for our needs that we derive from it are included among these “good and perfect” things.

An interesting New Testament verse, 2 Corinthians 5:20, declares, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” One of the best places to serve as an ambassador for Jesus Christ is where we work, where we daily encounter and rub shoulders with people who need to hear about the Good News of Christ and see what faith in Him looks like when lived out on a daily basis.

At the same time, we can – and should – value the work and efforts of people who serve us. The apostle Paul exhorted believers, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12). While the context for this exhortation concerns pastors and spiritual leaders, the principle can easily be applied for anyone whose work enhances our lives, whether it’s the server in a restaurant, the plumber who comes to fix a persistent leak, the law enforcement officer who strives to keep lawbreakers at bay, the teacher who instructs and encourages our children, or the trash collector who hauls away our garbage.

What we get paid matters. We need money to buy food for our tables, clothes for ourselves and our loved ones, gas for the car, and for rent or the mortgage payment. Along with some of our “wants.” But to view work solely by how much compensation we receive is to greatly diminish the value of work and the dignity we receive from doing it. Work – using our abilities, gifts and experience – is a very special privilege and should be a source of joy. Let’s keep it in the right perspective.

Perplexed By Priorities?

If variety is truly the spice of life, then 21^st century living is truly one spicy existence. There’s no end to the possibilities for spending, investing – or squandering – our waking hours. Between work, family responsibilities, community activities, and an ever-growing number of options for occupying “leisure” time, we each could easily fill a 48-hour day – if there were such a thing. Maybe Congress should enact that into law.

So much to do, so little time
in which to do it!

Young men being mentored often ask (or imply), “Can you help me with my priorities?” They’re getting started with careers, perhaps newly married or beginning a family, and find themselves overwhelmed with commitments and obligations. And that’s not even counting fun stuff they like to do (or used to do) – fishing, golf, video games, fantasy football, mud runs, attending sporting events, going to movies, etc. How’s a person to balance all those things?

Much of the time, juggling facets of everyday life seems like trying to find balance on an old-fashioned seesaw. Now you’re balanced – and then you’re not.

So what’s the answer? How can we remain true to our priorities when many demands and opportunities make the task so perplexing?

There’s no simple solution, but here are some considerations. For instance, what are your priorities? Do you even know? What’s most important to you? If it’s your career and achieving success, that will dominate your time. But at what cost, especially if you’re married and/or have children? Are you willing to sacrifice time – quantity and quality – with them to pursue career dreams?

On the other hand, if family relationships are paramount, prioritizing those will affect your handling of work demands and aspirations. If acquiring wealth is your focus, it’s bound to impact other areas of your life. Because there’s a cost to making money. As Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and mammon (money)” (Matthew 6:24). In other words, decide what your priorities are.

There are other considerations as well. For instance, whether at church or in an organization you belong to, there are always projects to be done – and somebody needs to do them. Is that somebody you? If you decide it’s not, do you still find it difficult to say no? Maybe you’re reluctant to disappoint the person who asks you, or afraid they’ll think less of you if you decline.

I’m an avid reader of Oswald Chambers’ writings, and one of his recurring statements is helpful: “A need doesn’t constitute a call.” In other words, just because something must be done doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the one to do it. The church might need singers in the choir, but if you can’t carry a tune in the shower, don’t feel badly about not volunteering. However, if there is something you’re well-suited to do, whether it’s working with children, doing repair work, or mentoring adults, that need might be calling you.

Another consideration is the level of commitment required. If you desire to excel at playing a musical instrument, for example, it won’t do to practice only 15 minutes a week. If you have want to compete in and complete a triathlon, you better be willing to devote many hours – every week for months – running, cycling and swimming. Either that or you’ll start something you have no chance of finishing.

Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer has said, “Because of our limitations on time and energy, it is difficult to be completely dedicated to a large number of endeavors.” If you want to be a champion in one pursuit, you’ll have to neglect or ignore a host of other alternatives.

Os Chambers also wrote, “Good is the enemy of the best.” There are many good things we can do, but what are the best things, those we’re most qualified, experienced and gifted to do? Why attempt to be a jack-of-all-trades when you can become a master of one?

A couple of important principles have guided me in coping with the perplexities of competing priorities. One is to recognize for whom I’m ultimately doing things. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Is it acceptable to give God a half-hearted effort, or second best? No. At least not for me. So I’d better be certain I’m doing what He would want me to do, and then do it as well as I can, to please Him foremost.

And to avoid the procrastinator in me, another passage reminds me not only to pursue what I’m doing with gusto, but also to do it when the opportunity presents itself: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Why postpone to a tomorrow we might never see?

It’s still not easy to resolve the problem of too much to do in too little time. But knowing and pursuing our bedrock priorities is a step toward determining what we should be doing with the time we have - and what things are little more than distractions.

Is Quality Still Job One?

Do you remember the Ford Motor Company commercial of years ago that proclaimed, “Quality is Job One”? According to the ad, the carmaker’s primary responsibility was to ensure buyers of its vehicles they would always receive the highest-quality products.

When I was reminded of this motto recently, it prompted me to wonder about quality: What is it, and how is it achieved? A recent visit to a plant operated by a manufacturing company I’ve been working with provided some insight into these questions.

We often think of quality in terms of something made with great precision and exquisite care. For instance, the Stradivarius violins and other stringed instruments handcrafted during the 17^th and 18^th centuries by members of the Stradivari family. Many experts consider these instruments – of which about 650 remain in existence today – to be unsurpassed in quality.

Whether it's slacks or shirts,
medication or canned goods, we expect
consistent quality every time.

That makes sense for things meticulously made one at a time. Time and effort can be devoted to making them as good as possible. But what about quality on a production line when hundreds or even thousands of something must be produced over a short period of time? As one of the men I was talking with at the manufacturing plant observed, quality is simply doing the job right each and every time. No exceptions.

Think of it this way: If you needed surgery, would you go to a surgeon whose success rate was only three out of five? For every three patients that did extremely well, two others died? Or how about an airline pilot with a 75% success rate on landings, meaning his planes crashed only one out of every four times? Would you be eager to travel on his aircraft?

When we look for quality, whether it’s prescription medicine, a can of beans, a computer or a mattress, we rightfully presume we’ll receive the manufacturer’s very best product every time we purchase it. As consumers we expect consistent, every-time quality and refuse to accept less than the highest standard.

But I sometimes wonder whether we have the same appreciation for quality when it comes to how we conduct our daily lives.

In Colossians 3:17 the apostle Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” In case we might have missed that admonition, he reinforced it six verses later: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” That sounds like a pretty high standard.

To me this means whether we’re a mail carrier, grocery clerk, schoolteacher, engineer, airline attendant or server in a restaurant, whatever we do should be done with quality that would be suitable for God Himself. That means putting forth our very best every time, regardless of the circumstances.

Whether we’re painting a room, cooking a meal, or performing volunteer work, we should do it as if doing it for the Lord – because ultimately, we are. In the Old Testament the Israelites were instructed to give always from their “first fruits,” selecting the very best to present to the temple priests. To give second best, offering their castoffs even once, was unacceptable.

The Bible doesn’t use the phrase, but for followers of Christ, it’s clear that “quality is job one.” Jesus gave us His very best – including His life on the cross. He deserves our very best in return. Not once, or occasionally, but all the time.