Not long after we meet someone we ask, “So what do you do?” It is usually an innocent question with very little social risk. But it also implies that this is an important question to get to know someone. We are suggesting that we are what we do.
However, we are so much more than just what we do. I am not just a manager, I am also a husband, father, grandfather, compassionate soul, lover of people, and a believer in Jesus. In fact these other aspects of me are far more important than what I do.
I am reading a book right now that distinguishes between our faith calling and our vocational calling. Our vocational calling is what we do, so we say things like I am a nurse or a clerk. More or less we feel called to these jobs whether by circumstance or genuine interest.
Our faith calling is why we do something. We say things like I am a nurse because I want to help people. So we try to be the best nurse we can, so that we can help as much as we can. Our faith calling drives us to be who we are.
My faith calling is derived from what Jesus said were the two greatest commandments; to love God with all your heart, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Since this is my faith calling, everything I do should reflect this calling, whether it be in my vocational calling or interrelationally. I wish I could say that I always succeed in that, but honestly I fail often. I can say, however, that these two commands are the heart of what I want to do and be.
Reluctant Retiree 