Rising To The Call
By Os Guinness
Chapter 2 Everyone, Everywhere, Everything
This chapter is pretty straightforward with four essential parts. First we have a historical example of what the author will talk about. Next the reader is given a more detailed understanding of calling. The chapter concludes with two popular misunderstandings which often affect our ability to answer the call.
Os Guinness opens his discussion with the story of William Wilberforce, the 18th century English abolitionist and parliamentarian. Wilberforce provides a textbook illustration for the biblical truth that you don't have to be a pastor or a missionary to do God's work. His story is a parable of sorts which teaches that all types of work are valuable if done properly. It's not a complicated concept but it's one that easy to miss. A wonderful movie about William Wilberforce.
The idea of calling is fleshed out a bit more in this second section of the chapter. We're provided with the biblical uses of the world. These are simmered down into two functional ideas. Based on Os Guinness's reading of scripture the human being has two callings, a primary and secondary calling.
Concluding this chapter the reader is warned about two distortions of calling. Essentially they are these, don't elevate primary calling to the exclusion of secondary calling. At the same time, don't elevate secondary calling to the exclusion of primary calling. Recognize both callings are important; both as created by God. One is the compass the other is the map that guide us on the straight and narrow way for which God has created us.
Let Your Life Speak
by Parker J. Palmer
Chapter 2 Now I Become Myself
Beginning again with a poem this time by May Sarton, Palmer provides his own summary of his next chapter. He proceeds to take about thirty pages to tell some of his own story, drawing insights periodically, from his experience that he believes are relevant to his readers.
After spending sometime discussing the concept of vocation he had in high-school. Palmer explains his current definition of vocation. "Today, I understand vocation quite differently-not as a goal to be achieved but as a gift to be received." (pg10) Following this up with a story from the Hasidic tradition.The Rabbi Zusya says "In the coming world, they will not ask me: 'Why were you not Moses?' They will ask me: 'Why were you not Zusya?'" (pg11) The underlying concept of course being that it's more important that you be yourself, than it is, that you try to be a copy of somebody else. This idea is cemented on page 15 "The deepest vocational question is not, 'What ought I to do with my life?' It is the more elemental and demanding, 'Who am I? What is my nature?'" Answering these questions forces us to recognize our limitations as well as our strengths and gifts. Knowing who we can not be is important. There is a danger to ignoring who we are, a danger to striving after a life that is untrue to our identity. "If we are unfaithful to true self we will extract a price from others. We will make promises we cannot keep, build houses from flimsy stuff, conjure dreams that dissolve into nightmares, and other people will suffer if we are unfaithful to true self. (pg.31)
A powerful sense of freedom awaits those who live into their vocation. Unfortunately not everyone is successful. Among those who are, "some journeys are direct, and some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need. (pg 37) Undertaking this journey often results in seasons of darkness, uncertainty. The road requires unmaking the inappropriate expectations that have been assumed for us. "The world needs people with the patience and the passion to make this pilgrimage not only for their own sake but also as a social political act." (pg.37) Thus Palmer ends his chapter with the reminder that people don't exist in a bubble. It's not only for one's own sake that a person ought to discover their calling.
By Os Guinness
Chapter 2 Everyone, Everywhere, Everything
This chapter is pretty straightforward with four essential parts. First we have a historical example of what the author will talk about. Next the reader is given a more detailed understanding of calling. The chapter concludes with two popular misunderstandings which often affect our ability to answer the call.
Os Guinness opens his discussion with the story of William Wilberforce, the 18th century English abolitionist and parliamentarian. Wilberforce provides a textbook illustration for the biblical truth that you don't have to be a pastor or a missionary to do God's work. His story is a parable of sorts which teaches that all types of work are valuable if done properly. It's not a complicated concept but it's one that easy to miss. A wonderful movie about William Wilberforce.
The idea of calling is fleshed out a bit more in this second section of the chapter. We're provided with the biblical uses of the world. These are simmered down into two functional ideas. Based on Os Guinness's reading of scripture the human being has two callings, a primary and secondary calling.
"Our primary calling as followers of Christ is by him, to him, and for him." (pg.24)
"Our secondary calling, considering who God is as sovereign, is that everyone, everywhere, and in everything should think, speak, live and act entirely for him." (pg.25)
Simply put, The primary calling provides direction for the sort of person we are supposed to be. God calls us to Himself, to be like Him and share in His godliness. The secondary calling is how we ought to spend our time. As I am fulfilling my primary calling I will discern a secondary which will determine my professional, academic and relational choices.Concluding this chapter the reader is warned about two distortions of calling. Essentially they are these, don't elevate primary calling to the exclusion of secondary calling. At the same time, don't elevate secondary calling to the exclusion of primary calling. Recognize both callings are important; both as created by God. One is the compass the other is the map that guide us on the straight and narrow way for which God has created us.
Let Your Life Speak
by Parker J. Palmer
Chapter 2 Now I Become Myself
"Now I become myself
It's taken time, many years and places.
I have been dissolved and shaken,
Worn other people's faces...."
After spending sometime discussing the concept of vocation he had in high-school. Palmer explains his current definition of vocation. "Today, I understand vocation quite differently-not as a goal to be achieved but as a gift to be received." (pg10) Following this up with a story from the Hasidic tradition.The Rabbi Zusya says "In the coming world, they will not ask me: 'Why were you not Moses?' They will ask me: 'Why were you not Zusya?'" (pg11) The underlying concept of course being that it's more important that you be yourself, than it is, that you try to be a copy of somebody else. This idea is cemented on page 15 "The deepest vocational question is not, 'What ought I to do with my life?' It is the more elemental and demanding, 'Who am I? What is my nature?'" Answering these questions forces us to recognize our limitations as well as our strengths and gifts. Knowing who we can not be is important. There is a danger to ignoring who we are, a danger to striving after a life that is untrue to our identity. "If we are unfaithful to true self we will extract a price from others. We will make promises we cannot keep, build houses from flimsy stuff, conjure dreams that dissolve into nightmares, and other people will suffer if we are unfaithful to true self. (pg.31)
A powerful sense of freedom awaits those who live into their vocation. Unfortunately not everyone is successful. Among those who are, "some journeys are direct, and some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need. (pg 37) Undertaking this journey often results in seasons of darkness, uncertainty. The road requires unmaking the inappropriate expectations that have been assumed for us. "The world needs people with the patience and the passion to make this pilgrimage not only for their own sake but also as a social political act." (pg.37) Thus Palmer ends his chapter with the reminder that people don't exist in a bubble. It's not only for one's own sake that a person ought to discover their calling.
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