Living in the Present

Getting stuck in the past (whether it is from resentment, envy, past glory, or whatever), seems to be a killer when it comes to working out our present vocation. Smith writes, the ability to be "fully present" to the current situation, to the current moment, to the real circumstances of our current life mission, is a major growth step God asks us to make as we learn to think vocationally.

How do you think this works, and why do you think Smith makes such a point about it?

Becce

Chapter 5 - Thinking Vocationally

I really appreciate the conversation on recent posts. I thought Charlene's question about how we lose our focus was honest and I would guess most of us have experienced a season of "focuslessness." A time when we are in transition. One of the gems I gained from my week at Regent was an assurance that getting us back focuses is really something God promises to do for us (Jeremiah 29:11-14a), our part is a willingness to let him clean us up enough so that focus is again discovered.

I have also been thinking about Jill's comments at our Face-to-Face when she asked if "acceptance" of where we are is a type of giving up of our dreams (Jill, is that what you were saying? Can you state it better?). Whoa...there is a discussion! Is acceptance the only way to move forward, or is it a kind of resignation?

Give those questions a go if you want...
But as we move into Chapter 5 we address the issue of how we view our work.

Have you ever felt a "slave" to your work? I have. In this chapter Smith shares a very liberating thought. There appears to be a number of advantages for us as we grow to think vocationally (pp. 96-99). They are:

We are free from comparing ourselves to others (that would be a relief!).
We are free from artificial standards of excellence (another sign).
We are free from the burden of trying to please everyone (sign me up!)
We are free from the urgency and the tyranny of time (take me home!)
We are free to love ourselves and others.

Of these freedoms...which do you long for most intensely?

Becce

Sabbath Keeping

I am currently in Vancouver BC studying at Regent College. For me this is a real Sabbath.

Here is a fun (although terrifiying) question: What would an ideal Sabbath day look like for you?

Want to give it a go?

Chapter 4 - As Unto the Lord

Well, I see now that I read back through our original calendar that we are a week behind...oh well. We will go along as we are and then the last week of August have another face-to-face and talk about our experience this summer with Courage and Calling.

During our discussion at Charlene's home we spoke of the desire that our work/life be meaningful. In this chapter, Smith writes that we all long that our work be "meaningful and significant, work that brings us joy." ( pp. 83-85) And he mentions at least four qualities Paul mentions in his letters to Timothy about vocational integrity:

Excellence (doing the very best you can do with what you've got).
Truth (integrity, honesty, humility...that sort of thing).
Diligence (a commitment to get up everyday and do what you have been called to do).
Generosity ("Generous service enables those we serve "to grow, mature, stand alone, and eventually give as we serve one another in interdependence." A false service, on the other hand, creates dependence.
Sabbath (Sabbath is not a "day off." It is a calling to rest).

Go ahead...reflect on these aspects of your life. Then go back to that wonderful question in chapter 2, "What brings you joy?" Take time to reflect on these qualities as they relate to joy in your life and work.

ummm...the rubber is meeting the road for me. How about you?

Becce

Faith Development

Here is a quote that jumped off the page at me: "...vocational identity is a critical dimension of our faith development" (p.57-58).

So... what Smith is saying is that our faith journey gets stuck if we do not begin to get a grasp on our "vocation." This is a very radical statement! It reminds me of something an artist told me once. She said that most people never learn to draw any better than they drew at age 12, because after that age, it takes concerted effort, humility, and desire to want to learn to draw.

Do you think many of us go along in our spiritual lives hoping we will grow but do not put in much effort to make that happen? Or if we do put in effort, it may be down "spiritual rabbit trails" (my word not Smith's) like evolution vs. creationism; or when Christ will return (not that this are not important...but these types of discussions do not seem to help us grow up spiritually). Do you think that getting a grasp on one's vocation is really a major key to living a spiritually abundant life? Whew...what do you think?

Becce

3- Chapters of Our Lives

This week we are looking at the idea of how our life changes...but in many ways stays the same throughout our life. Smith observes that adult life can be divided into three distinct phases: adolescence into early adulthood (which happens in the mid twenties), early to mid-adulthood, and then mid-adulthood through our senior years. Smith writes that this last phase begins around sixty years of age.

During this chapter he talks about individuation from parents in the first phase, moving intentionally into our vocation in the second phase, and finally in the third, growing into a place where we can provide wisdom and bless others.

Here are some ideas I would like us to converse about:

"...the same vocational questions actually follow us through the whole course of our lives: Who am I, and who has God called me to be?" Question: How important do you think these questions really are to us on an everyday basis?

and

"The primary question we need to answer at all times (in all the phases) is this: 'What is God calling me to do here, in this place and this time, so that I can be a conduit of life and grace to others'"? Question: If you were to ask yourself this question in specific about your life right now, what would your answer be?

finally,

If you are in the third phase, what deep desire or longing can be expressed in your life now, that may not have been possible earlier?

Happy Reading...and we would love to hear what's rumbling around in you as you read.
Becce

Good Time Had By All

We had a great meeting at Charlene's on Friday. It was really interesting to hear how people were reading the book, and what comments of the author where sticking in people's thoughts. We talked about our identities and how they are shaped. The idea of vocation being a form of identity that comes from God rather than forces around us was encoureaging, but still seemed a distant reality to others.

We also talked about how we can accept who we are (under the discussion of "a crisis of confidence") and still hold on to dreams of who we could become...we talked about where these "dreams" come from.

We are beginning Chapter 3 this week...so keep reading. We love to hear from you.

Becce

Face-to-Face Meeting

With the input of those who responded to the recent group email, we have decided that the group face-to-face meeting will be in my home on Friday, July 9th at noon. Please bring a brown bag lunch. I will supply dessert and iced tea (unsweetened, but I have a sugar bowl).

If you did not receive the group email, please respond to this post via email using my email address quilly@quilldancer.com so I can send you my home address and driving directions. Please also RSVP to this invitation (either here or in email) so I will have an approximate head count.

Thank you! Becce and I are looking forward to this gathering.

Charlene