A calling
The question has always been there, in the lives of each and every person. What is the meaning of it? Why have I been put on Earth? Am I to serve some higher purpose? The thought of being such an instrument for the lives of others sounds noble, and some people dream about it. Living that dream proves to be a different question entirely. The questions then begin to incorrectly answer themselves. "I'm not suited to do such a thing." "I want to live my own life." "There are others who are called to do such work." I say 'incorrectly' because it is the influence of our culture today that puts those thoughts in our minds. I will not talk about callings from God just now, or even religious callings for that matter.
Let us first discuss life in general, considering the time we live in. We are born to loving parents, perhaps to excited siblings. The love that is given to us as an infant is unconditional, and this carries throughout our life. There are instances in which we may irritate our parents senseless, especially yelling in our crib at 3am. This, of course, cannot be controlled. We are not able to stop our crying, our wailing. We depend on the presence of our parents to keep us steady through the night.
Going on through life into elementary school, we begin to take more responsibility for our actions, acknowledge our own life, as well as our independence. But take for instance those nights when you were ill, shivering in bed, throwing up. There was no way that we would have been able to get through that nightmare alone, specifically at that age. Our parents or siblings stayed with us, cared for us, and let us know we were safe. Eventually, there comes the age where we would rather have the parents leave us be.
Our teenage years, our infamously rebellious years involve attitude, irritation, and realization. We hang out with our friends more than our family, and we spend more time in our room than in the living room. We are frustrated with the fact that parents are on our case about grades and jobs and the like. But what happens when problems arise, like they constantly do during these years? What happens when your boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with you, or you experience the death of a beloved family member? Some are able to keep their emotions inside, for a time. However, many that try are scarred from the attempt. Periods like this are when we teenagers, "capable of conquering life" are found defenseless and susceptible to pain. We turn to a friend, to a family member. To someone we love. The problem may not completely go away, but their presence, their help, is what helps us to continue.
Even as adults, we will come to periods in our life where we will be broken. There will be even more important relationships that may be ended for different reasons. I will tell you now, there will be more grief over the loss of closer family members. The management of your life, what your parents used to take care of, will be passed on to you. But, be assured, if you do fall, you will not be alone. For as it has happened in the past, as an infant, as a child, and as a teenager, someone will come to your aid. Whether it be a friend, a family member, or perhaps the work of a complete stranger, your life will come together again. You will be fine.
This type of life is consistent with life in other times, whether it is 1980, 1700, or even before Christ. That is shown through the need of Adam for a companion. We cannot function without others in our lives, without love. That is partly where the purpose of life, to love and to be loved, comes from. We must understand this now. You can try to achieve a superstar, rich, snobby lifestyle, but just what are you living for? You have been given the blessed gifts to change the lives of others, to help them, just as you have been helped. It is preposterous to say that you are not suited to do such work. That's what you were created to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to pursue a career that doesn't pay well, because there is no harm in that. But what do you do in such a job? What do you do with your money? We all have been given specific talents in our life, there is no debate there. What is a shame is that we put those talents to waste in pursuit of a more convenient "me, me, me" lifestyle. We live for others and others live for us.
We are called to service.
I have written before that service to other people directly is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. We are told to pursue a career that makes us happy. You are called to pursue a lifestyle that serves others. Love them. You will be loved in return. That alone is more rewarding than any material thing.
Let us first discuss life in general, considering the time we live in. We are born to loving parents, perhaps to excited siblings. The love that is given to us as an infant is unconditional, and this carries throughout our life. There are instances in which we may irritate our parents senseless, especially yelling in our crib at 3am. This, of course, cannot be controlled. We are not able to stop our crying, our wailing. We depend on the presence of our parents to keep us steady through the night.
Going on through life into elementary school, we begin to take more responsibility for our actions, acknowledge our own life, as well as our independence. But take for instance those nights when you were ill, shivering in bed, throwing up. There was no way that we would have been able to get through that nightmare alone, specifically at that age. Our parents or siblings stayed with us, cared for us, and let us know we were safe. Eventually, there comes the age where we would rather have the parents leave us be.
Our teenage years, our infamously rebellious years involve attitude, irritation, and realization. We hang out with our friends more than our family, and we spend more time in our room than in the living room. We are frustrated with the fact that parents are on our case about grades and jobs and the like. But what happens when problems arise, like they constantly do during these years? What happens when your boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with you, or you experience the death of a beloved family member? Some are able to keep their emotions inside, for a time. However, many that try are scarred from the attempt. Periods like this are when we teenagers, "capable of conquering life" are found defenseless and susceptible to pain. We turn to a friend, to a family member. To someone we love. The problem may not completely go away, but their presence, their help, is what helps us to continue.
Even as adults, we will come to periods in our life where we will be broken. There will be even more important relationships that may be ended for different reasons. I will tell you now, there will be more grief over the loss of closer family members. The management of your life, what your parents used to take care of, will be passed on to you. But, be assured, if you do fall, you will not be alone. For as it has happened in the past, as an infant, as a child, and as a teenager, someone will come to your aid. Whether it be a friend, a family member, or perhaps the work of a complete stranger, your life will come together again. You will be fine.
This type of life is consistent with life in other times, whether it is 1980, 1700, or even before Christ. That is shown through the need of Adam for a companion. We cannot function without others in our lives, without love. That is partly where the purpose of life, to love and to be loved, comes from. We must understand this now. You can try to achieve a superstar, rich, snobby lifestyle, but just what are you living for? You have been given the blessed gifts to change the lives of others, to help them, just as you have been helped. It is preposterous to say that you are not suited to do such work. That's what you were created to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to pursue a career that doesn't pay well, because there is no harm in that. But what do you do in such a job? What do you do with your money? We all have been given specific talents in our life, there is no debate there. What is a shame is that we put those talents to waste in pursuit of a more convenient "me, me, me" lifestyle. We live for others and others live for us.
We are called to service.
I have written before that service to other people directly is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. We are told to pursue a career that makes us happy. You are called to pursue a lifestyle that serves others. Love them. You will be loved in return. That alone is more rewarding than any material thing.
posted by Ant at
12:47 PM
1 Comments:
"Our teenage years, our infamously rebellious years involve attitude, irritation, and realization. We hang out with our friends more than our family, and we spend more time in our room than in the living room. We are frustrated with the fact that parents are on our case about grades and jobs and the like. But what happens when problems arise, like they constantly do during these years? What happens when your boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with you, or you experience the death of a beloved family member? Some are able to keep their emotions inside, for a time. However, many that try are scarred from the attempt. Periods like this are when we teenagers, "capable of conquering life" are found defenseless and susceptible to pain. We turn to a friend, to a family member. To someone we love. The problem may not completely go away, but their presence, their help, is what helps us to continue."
I find this chapter reminiscent of some present aspects of your life :) you truly were wise beyond your years
By
Kelso, at 12/19/2008 6:14 PM
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