Throughout the Race, we (Racers) are assigned a weekly reflective document that helps us to mark where we’re at in our journeys, aptly named “Journey Markers”.
One such document challenged us to think about our callings, reminding us that as followers of Jesus, we are called to make disciples of Him, yes, but that looks different for everyone. One of us might make disciples through traditional ministry and mission, while another might do it through being an outstanding business-person, teacher, leader, doctor, musician, spouse, or friend. I’d like to share what I think about my calling and as you read, I challenge you to think about yours as well (consider sending your thoughts to me in an email or posting them in the comments below!)
To get the ball rolling, we considered a few perspectives. First, what are the world’s needs? What needs do you see in the world around you? Where is the pain, the hurt? Who are the lost and broken?
Second, what are your passions? What brings you joy? What could you talk about for hours? What would you learn about if you had unlimited resources and time?
Third, what are your skills? What are your gifts? Where do you excel? What are you good at doing? Or maybe, what do people tell you you’re good at?
Finally, the fourth perspective: intersection. Where and how do these three things intersect? What does it look like to combine your passion with what you’re good at in a way that meets the needs of the world around you?
This is how I answered these questions. In the world around me, I see children who lack basic needs – food, clothes, shelter, love. I see pain in children who are both physically hungry and spiritually and emotionally hungry – not receiving what they think they need, they fight to get it. I also see pain in parents and teachers and pastors who are overcome by the needs of these children and don’t know how to meet them. I’ve seen a lot of this on the Race blatantly or in extremes, but what many folks don’t realize is that there are children like this all over the world, including the States – not just in less developed countries. In fact, a large influence over my calling is the fact that there are children in the States who lack basic necessities and statistically, if a child has one adult who loves them, cares for them, meets their basic needs, that’s all they need to succeed.
For that reason, I am so passionate about kids having a good start in life. I believe that when we can empower children, we set them on a trajectory to live abundant lives in any and every area. Not only that, but when we raise up an empowered generation, we are setting up our world to be, well, better. Can you imagine what it would be like if every person in the world right now felt that they had the power and resources to make positive change in the world around them? And even more if that change was in the name of Jesus Christ, actively bringing His kingdom to earth, doing the will of the Father here as it is in heaven? Wow.
This next part can sometimes be difficult to answer. I don’t want to be arrogant or boastful, so how do I talk about what I’m good at? It is not boastful to say what I’m good at – we have all been given gifts and talents and skills from the Lord that we ought to use to further His kingdom. How will we know what those are if we don’t ever have a conversation about it? Further, a helathy conversation about what we’re good at doing brings so much glory to God, who made us. With that in mind, I can say I excel in music and I’m gifted in teaching. I’ve had incredible examples to follow in my parents, grandparents, and educators, who have both taught and inspired me throughout my life. I can thank genetics, years of hard work, and learning to receive and then put into practice constructive feedback. And that has helped me to find my calling.
When I combine these first three responses, I am blessed that I can give it a title: music teacher. It’s what I ended up getting my Bachelor’s in, and what I plan on pursuing after the Race, and boy, am I excited. I’m gonna be a teacher, y’all.
But there aren’t a ton of music ed opportunities on the Race. Actually, I haven’t been asked to teach music at all on the Race (there was one exception back in Panama). So what do I do if no one needs my calling? Do I give up and go home? Is it invalid? Do I need to find a new one?
No. Because as important as it is to live in our calling, Jesus tells us there is one calling, one command, that trumps all others: love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Done. My calling has shaped how I love, but by no means does it define how I love. God forbid it does.
Whether you’re confident in your calling or are still unsure, I want you to know this one thing: the greatest calling any of us has on our lives is as simple as four letters – LOVE.
