Your Calling
If you throw a rock into a river, can you change how the river flows? Depending on the weight of the rock, you can temporarily push some of the water around the stone, but ultimately, the course of the river isn't going to change. You could skip stones over a steady stream for an entire morning, but a thousand rocks will not alter the river's course. The water is only going to travel in one direction. It doesn't matter if you throw different kinds of rocks, toss them in the water, or try to skip them across the surface. Inevitably, the water will flow down its path.
If you could do anything else with your life, would you be doing it? It’s possible you could have selected another company to work for or pursued a different role and title, but you would still be you. While specific roles, positions, and hierarchies may exist, people have an overarching direction to their lives—a Calling.
A purpose that extends beyond your job.
Caring people will always care, leaders will always end up leading, and creative people will always find ways to create.
I'm learning to ask myself: "Where does gravity continue to pull me to despite my best efforts?" or even, "Where does gravity continue to pull me to despite my lack of effort?"
I've met many teachers who don't occupy a classroom, chefs who don't command the kitchen, and pastors with no pulpit. They don’t need titles to confirm their purpose in life.
I do believe in professional training, obtaining certification, and earning credentials. Good, qualified training is important. After all, you can't pick up a scalpel and declare, "Hey, I'm going to be a surgeon; don't listen to those experts; I'm called!". Even though you may not have the authority to be a legitimate doctor, you can still pursue and promote health. Pursuing a healthy life for you and others may be your calling.
If you’re like me, at some point, you’ll ask yourself, “Did I make the right decision in my career?” You can probably point to good and bad decisions. I’m also willing to bet that you’ve made good decisions that still resulted in bad outcomes. I’ve been there. That said, the things you care about likely haven’t changed, and the values that you live out have not changed drastically. You are so much more than your job. Don’t spend too much time over-analyzing your job history; make sure you understand yourself. No one knows exactly what they’re supposed to be doing at any given moment, but I do think we can know what path we’re best suited to travel.
Friend, thank you for reading. I hope this encourages you. May you find moments that bring clarity to your calling.