VO—cation! … Not… VAY—cation!
Watcha gonna BE when ya grow up? Dr. Gary Straub. Meadow@StMatthews. Sept ‘23
When our grandkids started High School— The Bell rang —the Light flickered. First, came curiosity, then questioning, then testing a path. Earnest, searching conversations with people they respect played into the shaping of heart and mind toward a vocation. Here is my early PopsTalk on finding Vocation.
We’re not talking VAcation! We’re talking VOcation! From the Latin root: vocare = to call. Vocation may arise as an insistent inner summons to a life work—a tap on the shoulder—an occupation to which a person feels drawn and gifted. Could be just a calm inner voice that quietly summons toward a vision/mission. VOcation is more than just a j-o-b; much more than mere employment. Beyond a pay-check, VOcation can feel like a tap on the shoulder and a whisper: “pay attention— here is a worthy way to invest energy—spend your life in service of things that matter.” VOcations show the path to your purpose in the world— part of who you are & why you are here.
VOcation says: “let me paint you a picture of how your gifts, talents, abilities, unique personality, sense of humor, energies, interests and experiences might fit into life’s larger scheme. Sometimes vocation comes as a tap on the shoulder- kinda like a God whisper: ‘Psssst! Did you notice how good you are at this? Do you ever watch how satisfied you are while working in this area? Have you seen how other folks notice and appreciate your efforts?” Sometimes, others intuit how we’re gifted before we do.
The location of your VOcation is at the intersection of your deep gladness and the world’s deep need. What does the world NEED that you are GLAD to do?
For some people, their work is their VOcation- we usually think of nurses, teachers, doctors, ministers and … who else? For other people, their work is how they make a living while they make their life work by their avocation- (Latin: a=above + vocare=calling) their calling above their calling. By day, Paul Fulmer was a postman; but his avocation was coaching and helping mold young minds, values, purpose and character by his life lessons and example. ALL 8 year old Little League boys wanted Paul as their coach. Thinking back, the people who influenced me- who made a difference in my thinking may or may not have had a hot-shot job. Some did— some not. But they were clearly listening to their own heart, and tuned in to the wise and loving heart of God. They had plain good sense, used their resources wisely, and made the Shekinah Light shine thru their example to a higher purpose. If you are looking for God’s will for your life, pay attention to the things that bless and energize you with a settled sense of joy. “Yeah, this is fun! I’m intrigued—bet I could do this for a lifetime!”
High school is prime time to tune in to stories about how folks you respect found their way to a satisfying and purposeful life-work. ASK! Quietly, the Spirit taps you on the shoulder and you get little bursts of insight—kinda like nudges. Slowly, these little jolts of inspiration develop into interest in your own VO-cation! Not always, but sometimes—you don’t really choose a VOcation— it sorta chooses you! It costs you nothing at this point in your life explore your calling… All you pay… is attention.
