Theologian Frederick Buechner noted that, “vocation is where our greatest passion meets the world’s greatest need.” I believe all of us have the capacity to live out our passion in a manner that serves others – and ultimately changes the world in our own small way. The same God who created our lives for serving others is the same God who gives us the passion to serve.
I’ve heard it said that our passion is not what we do to make money – it’s what we would do for free if someone weren’t willing to pay us to do what we love. But our vocation, whether inspiring or uninspiring, is more than a job or a paycheck – it is a calling to serve.
Instead of looking at your vocation as what it is supposed to yield you, consider asking who your vocation is currently holding you accountable to serve.
We can live out our calling in a vocation even in the most uninspiring surroundings.
In the early 90s, I went from working at a landscape company to working for Delta Airlines to being on staff at a local church. Every one of those positions had uninspiring surroundings at times. Whether trimming bushes, loading aircrafts, or administering pastoral duties, my surroundings were often uninspiring at worst, or ordinary at best. But looking back over those years I see how my passion and gifts were still at work through all of those seasons, regardless of the surroundings I found myself in. All three fields were completely different assignments and responsibilities, yet my approach to serving others was demonstrated similarly in each context.
My attitude was about contribution, not remuneration.
Challenge the myth that your current vocation is too ordinary or uninspiring to be making a difference in the world and begin rising each day with a determination that your calling will be lived out in whatever environment you are responsible to live in each day.
Remember that it’s not what you get paid to do that brings you lasting fulfillment. Capturing the essence of this truth will change your life.
Sir Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
Realizing this will help you refuse to buy into the myth that one day the perfect job is going to give your life that elusive joy and world-changing purpose. Even if you are fortunate enough to get paid for what you love to do, your greatest joy will always be the outflow of what you give back and contribute to the lives of others.
It’s how God has wired each one of us!
Everyone can’t go out and quit their jobs and pursue those dream vocations today. But everyone can approach life with a passion for serving others and living out God’s calling in their present reality. If you find yourself in an uninspiring vocation, remember that your passion and unique calling is not limited by your job description. It’s not bound by your daily responsibilities. What you give is what brings your life its greatest joy. This is your calling. Think about ways you can contribute to the lives of others in that workplace, in the community, and through your local church.