We’ve all been there.
Life in a lifeless cubical world. Surviving the 9-5 vocational jungle. Juggling a bunch of disjointed dreams against the backdrop of reality.
Perhaps you know what it feels like to be a fish in an aquatic Pandora’s Box…
…like you don’t belong no matter how hard you try, no matter how hard the effort.
No question, itâs in these moments when we’re most tempted to quit…when we’re most likely throw in the towel and walk away.
But as I mentioned in last year’s post, thereâs value in not giving up, thereâs honor in putting down the white flag in favor of the warpath…and thereâs hope in maintaining a posture of perseverance, no matter how hard the challenge.
True, it can be arduous making ends meet and bridging relational divides amidst an unfulfilling environment; it can be difficult lovingÂč people in a vacuum where nothing around you seems to give you that much desired sense of accomplishment and worth.
But truth is, at some point or another, weâve all questioned our place, especially during [what seems like] a fruitless season, where nothing seems to be effective or bear influence.
Yet, I contend we donât often help our cause at theses points of impasse.
Why? Because of the human tendency to put calling before purpose.
You see, our purpose is simple: to be heaven on earthâŠ
âŠby choosing to love as Jesus lovesâŠ
âŠand to be an extension of hope through proclaiming the good newsÂČ.
However, our calling is a bit more complex.
While our purpose boils down to modeling Godâs love, our calling is how we model Godâs love – an evolving expression, designed to influence different people at different seasons in our lives.
Thus, if our purpose is truly predestined (see 2 Timothy 1:8-9), then it should be clear how a) purpose proceeds calling and b) staying aligned to Godâs will with a grateful heart is dependent on being completely satisfied in our purpose, regardless if we understand our calling (or how it should manifest in a given season).
In my case, when I applied this truth, it didnât take long before my dayjob frustrations started making more sense. I had lost sight of my purpose within my assigned role, instead, fearing I was wasting my calling in a passionless, uninspiring position.
Yet, when I recognized my pride, flipped it through repentance, and returned my focus to loving people where they were at, my whole perspective changed.
No longer did I perceive my situation through an entitled lensâŠor doubt the handy plan of God on my life. No longer did I shrink in timidity or defeatism based on the incurrence of condescending labels.
Contrarily, I began to understand, in greater measure, how a) our callings aren’t meant to always align with what we think they should (i.e. our innate wirings, our creative passions, giftings, etc.) and b) the disconnect between where we are and where we hope to be doesn’t necessarily mean we’re in the wrong place.
In fact, I submit this wedge is something we all must taste at some point if we’re to truly appreciate and rely on the faithfulness of God.
‘Cause whether we feel relationally abandoned or hopelessly lost in an occupational wasteland, it doesn’t negate the fact God is always up to something. For He knows exactly what we need, when we need itâŠand will always stay faithful to develop the fine qualities Heâs established/establishing in us (Romans 1:20)âŠeven if our workplace environment doesnât [seem to] value these things.
As for me, the only way I could rightfully deal with my workplace dissatisfaction was by embracing a holy satisfaction in my divinely appointed purpose: to do Fatherâs work His wayâŠand to allow His Kingdom to reflect in and through my life (Matthew 6:33; John 5:19).
And I’m telling you…it wasn’t long after surrendering my aspirations in this way that I began to feel fulfilled within God’s placement again.Âł
So in closing, I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to not see your worth through what you do or value your calling ahead of your purpose. Rather, allow yourselves to be fully content on what God has purposed you to do, all the while, being faithful to pray into your calling…regardless if the heartstrings of passion are being presently plucked.
‘Cause at the end of the day, youâll find when the two are in alignment, youâll be primed for refinement.
And that, my friends, is a beautiful place to be.
Footnotes
1) Granted, love should never be circumstantial anyway
2) In addition to being disciple-makers
3) Sometimes, a return to basics with a slight twist of perspective is all we need to adjust the way God wants us to.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
Photo from motivationgrid.com & mosstotalfitness.com
Meet Pastor Joe. Pastor Joe is the pastor at Your Community Church. He preaches, teaches, visits hospitals, marries, buries, and even mows the lawn. Pastor Joe also works 30 something hours a week as a middle school teacher. He has a wife and two kids. In any given week, Pastor Joe is lesson planning and counseling a depressed congregant. He can most likely be found reading Matthew Henryâs Commentary on the book of James while cheering his daughter on at soccer.
With that said, I strongly believe pastors should never be labeled âpart-timeâ since itâs not possible to limit pastoral responsibilities to 20 hours a week…not to mention the term is widely misunderstood.
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