48 Days to the Work You Love Revised Edition

it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

As a pastor of a growing church, Rob was fulfilling the multiple duties of a pastor; he was the teacher, encourager, comforter, hospital visitor, administrator, and friend. Surely there could be no better expression of a godly calling. Coming from a blue-collar family, Rob had the desire to make a difference, to lead people to godly lives, to be recognized in the community, and to provide financially for his wife and children. And yet Rob was experiencing tremendous unrest. He was quick-tempered at home and frustrated with the demands of his congregation. Financial strains were constant. Rob was determined to hang on to what surely was his calling. Didn’t open doors themselves confirm the accuracy of his direction?

Or do they? How do we develop a clear sense of direction regarding our careers? Are open doors, family influence, educational opportunity, and new technologies the best determinants of our direction?

Here’s a framework for moving toward decisions for our work. Three words are used interchangeably and shouldn’t be: vocation, career, and job. The distinctions are significant.

Vocation is the most profound of the three, incorporating calling, purpose, mission, and destiny. This is the big picture many people never identify for themselves. It’s what you’re doing in life that makes a difference and builds meaning for you, which you can review in your later years to see the impact you’ve made on the world. Stephen Covey says that we all want “to live, to love, to learn, and to leave a legacy.” Our vocation will leave a legacy. The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, which means “to call.” It suggests that you are listening for something that is calling out to you—something that is particular to you. A calling is something you have to listen for, attuning yourself to the message. Vocation then is not so much pursuing a goal as it is listening for a voice. Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen for that voice telling me who I am. Vocation does not come from willfulness but from listening.

“Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10

Everyone has a vocation or calling. It’s not something reserved for a chosen few who end up as pastors, priests, or monks. As Thomas Merton put it, “A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying Him.” In the same way, we fulfill our calling by being excellent at whatever God created us to be. Everything you do ought to be part of fulfilling your vocation. Your job will ideally be one part of that, but at times may not be directly related to it.

A reader of my blog (http://48daysblog.wordpress.com) commented, “Talent is nothing to God. He only seeks a fully surrendered and obedient individual.” I beg to differ. How does God “call” us except through giving us skills and abilities, personality traits and passions that draw us in a particular direction? To think God will ask a “fully surrendered and obedient individual” to something where there is no alignment with natural talents opens the door to heartache and misery.

I’ve met with too many pastors, missionaries, and teachers who were obedient and willing, but whose natural skills did not line up with their attempts to do something “godly.” Many confused “calling” with the family tradition or the expectations of others. And their work was frustrating, spiritually depleting, and ultimately led to a crisis that required change.

When there is an alignment of our skills, abilities, talents, personality traits, and passions we will recognize God’s “call.” We will experience work that is fulfilling, meaningful, purposeful, and profitable.

If you look at the derivations of the words vocation and career you will immediately get a feel for the difference between them. Career comes originally from the Latin word for “cart” and later from the Middle French word for “racetrack.” Webster’s dictionary defines career as “to run or move at full speed, rush wildly.” In other words, you can go really fast for a long time but never get anywhere. That is why in today’s work environment, even physicians, attorneys, CPAs, dentists, and engineers may choose to get off the expected track and choose another career. A career is a line of work but not the only way to fulfill your calling. You can have different careers at different points in your life. Conversely, two or three different careers can all support your calling.

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.” — Leonardo da Vinci

For example, to embrace the calling or vocation of “helping to reduce pain and suffering in the world,” we could list multiple careers: physician, nurse, counselor, pastor, teacher, scientist, politician, writer, etc. Thus, if you want to change careers at some point in life, simply take a fresh look at your vocation and find a new application.

A job is the most specific and immediate of the three terms. It has to do with one’s daily activities that produce income. The dictionary defines job as “a lump portion, a task, chore or duty.” As previously mentioned, the average job is 3.2 years in length, meaning the average person will have 14 to 16 different jobs in his/her working lifetime. So, although the job cannot be the critical definition of your vocation or calling, it should be an expression of that calling and an integration of your ministry.

There is a Hebrew word, avodah, from which come both the words “work” and “worship.” To the Hebrew man, his Thursday morning activities were just as much an expression of worship as being in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Nothing in Scripture depicts the Christian life as divided into sacred and secular parts. Rather, it shows a unified life, one of wholeness, in which everything we do is service to God, including our daily work, whatever that may be.

Jobs will come and go, but they should never derail you from the fulfillment of your calling.

Good career decisions have to be based on more than a casual look at the job opportunities or at personal aptitudes. What we invest our time in daily and weekly must incorporate the three critical areas mentioned in the introduction: (1) skills and abilities, (2) personality tendencies, and (3) values, dreams and passions. The most common mistake people make in choosing a career is doing something simply because they are good at it. The accountant who is good at math or the sales person who is a persuader may still be frustrated because that career forces them to be gregarious or to promote a product they are not excited about. Remembering the happiest times in your life and the times when you felt most fulfilled are better indicators of your calling than just knowing what you can do. Circumstances alone are not good predictors of God’s calling. Many people responded to circumstances early in life, and then at 45 are realizing the true components of their calling are missing in their work.

In the case of Rob, a frustrated pastor, we were able to identify his passion for painting beautiful works of art. However, the challenge of providing for a wife and 5 children seemed to make painting and drawing impractical, another issue that frequently misdirects people from their calling. Today, no longer a pastor, he does faux finishes on the walls of elegant homes, creating beautiful effects using sponges, rags, and brushes. He creates dramatic works of art with a musical theme that explode with his spiritual passion. He is making 8 to 10 times the income he was generating previously and is able to “minister” in a way more authentic and fitting for him. As a pastor, he relates that people knew what to expect of him. Now he is the artist, having unique opportunities to relate to many people. They openly share their hurts, frustrations, and vulnerabilities in ways they never did to the “pastor.” He now understands that a church-related job is not more “godly” if it is not right for him. God gifts each of us with unique characteristics. Understanding our skills and abilities, our personality tendencies, and our values, dreams, and passions is the first step in identifying the right job.

“Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all [my] days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.” — Psalm 139:16

As Martin Luther recommended: “I advise everyone against entering any religious order or the priesthood unless he is forearmed with this knowledge and understands that the works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they may be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone.”

Imagine three line workers at the Nissan plant here in middle Tennessee. Each is asked, “What are you doing?” The first responds, “I’m a welder—that’s what they pay me for each Friday” (Job). The second says, “I’m making a beautiful car today” (Career). The third worker is thoughtful for a moment and then responds, “I’m helping to create innovative and responsible transportation for individuals, families, and companies” (Vocation). These three workers, all doing the same work, define job, career, and vocation because of their differing perspectives. If you approach the understanding of your vocation first, you will find tremendous freedom in recognizing how many jobs can fulfill that vocation.

The Bible gives dignity to any work. All occupations are sacred. “Called to ministry” or “full-time service” are simply cultural misrepresentations of God’s view of meaningful work. We need to eliminate the artificial ranking of the godliness of work. There are no second-class citizens in the workplace. I thank God for the talents of our lawn maintenance man and greatly appreciate and admire the beauty he creates in the grass, flowers, and trees around our home.

And I am worn out by getting one more letter from someone who suddenly discovered he was “called into full-time service.” That immediately creates the false dichotomy of those who are called and those who are not. I might also add that it’s interesting how many people discover their call to ministry (meaning they need those who are still just working to support them) after a long period of unemployment. Is God’s call a last resort? Should it not be a first choice?

Most Americans evaluate their lives in retrospect, having no clear sense of control, purpose, or destiny for the future. Without knowing where you are going, you are doomed to do likewise.

• 51-year-old businessman—“I feel like I’ve lived my whole life by accident.”

• Wife of professor—“I feel like we’ve been free-falling for the last 13 years.”

• 56-year-old bus driver with a Ph.D. in theology—“I feel like I’ve been given 6 seconds to sing, and I’m singing the wrong song.”

• 53-year-old businessman—“I feel like my life is a movie that’s almost over, and I haven’t even bought the popcorn yet.”

• Collection agent—“I’ve lived my life up until now as though driving with the parking brake on.”

• 46-year-old “successful” car salesman—“I feel like a lost ball in tall cotton.”

• 39-year-old automotive engineer—“I’m a butterfly caught in a spider’s web, with my life slowly being sucked out.”

• 27-year-old computer specialist—“I’m a box of parts and nothing fits together.”

• 31-year-old attorney—“Law school sucked all the life and creativity out of me.”

• 32-year-old in the family business—“The merry-go-round of my professional life has left me no farther than a few steps from where I got on and with a weak stomach.”

These are frequent feelings among even “successful” people. It is quite common to reach that point in life where you need to take a fresh look at what you are doing and where you are going.

→Learning to Get Back Up

Within a few seconds of when it is born, a baby giraffe struggles to its feet. Shortly afterward, however, the mother will knock it over from its wobbly stance. This process is repeated each time the baby struggles to its feet until the young giraffe has the strength to stand on its own without falling. What seems like an unkind act is of vital importance to the survival of the young animal. It is, in fact, an act of love by the mother for its child. For the baby giraffe, the world is a dangerous place and it must learn without delay how to quickly get back on its feet.

The late Irving Stone, who spent a lifetime studying the lives of great men such as Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh, and others, noted a common characteristic of all great men: “You cannot destroy these people,” he said. “Every time they’re knocked down, they stand up.”

A clear sense of purpose will provide a feeling of continuity and contentment to carry you through those inevitable changes. Developing a clear focus leads to confidence, boldness, and enthusiasm in living. If you cannot visualize what you want the future to be, you are likely to end up feeling like a victim of circumstances. If you want different results, you must change what you are doing. In fact, insanity is defined as continuing to do the same things and expecting different results.

If you know where you are going, you can respond to priorities rather than circumstances. Develop a long-term perspective; don’t be like the farmer in Aesop’s fable of the goose and the golden egg. The farmer, having become impatient with getting only 1 golden egg a day, decided to cut the goose open and get all the eggs at once. Obviously, not understanding that headless geese don’t lay eggs, he cut off the opportunity to get anymore golden eggs. We are in a society that emphasizes instant everything: microwaves, fax machines, cell phones, and coffee. Real personal success comes not in that instant fashion but by careful planning for the long-term future.

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” — Viktor Frankl

Also, when we talk about success, we are talking about balance and success in more areas of life than just career and finances. Too many people have sacrificed success in one area for success in another. Stay committed to achieving success in multiple areas of your life.

Shakespeare once stated, “A man with a toothache cannot be in love,” meaning simply that the attention demanded by the toothache doesn’t allow him to notice anything other than his pain. In working with people going through job change, I often find Shakespeare’s principle to be confirmed. I see grown men ignoring their wives, avoiding their friends, watching too much TV, and overeating. I see women stop going to church, spend money they do not have, read romance novels rather than inspirational material, and snap at their kids when asked an innocent question. The “pain” of the job needs seem to overwhelm the health, vitality, and success they have in other life areas.

Going through job change provides a great opportunity to take a fresh look at your success in other areas. Make additional deposits of success in your physical well-being. The energy and creativity that can come from a sharp mind and body can generate the very ideas you need at this time. Take the kids for a cheap meal and enjoy the time together. Organize a pot luck with a group of your friends—you’ll be surprised how many of them are going through a similar experience. Pick up a great book to read. Even if you read only 10 minutes a day, you can read a new book a month—and that can transform your insight and preparation for new options. Stay connected spiritually. You’ll realize that in the scope of eternity, this event is probably a tiny spot on the time line.

In this model, the job is central. We are frequently more defined by what we do than by who we are. When meeting a new person, the conversation normally goes as follows: “Hi, John, I’m Dan. What do you do?” From that one brief answer, we make conclusions about that person’s intelligence, education, income, and value to society. With this model, we get our total sense of worth from our work. All other aspects of our lives are forced to fit in around the job . . . if there is time. This leads to feelings of resentment, frustration, loss of control, and lack of balance. It also leaves us very vulnerable in that if something happens to that job, whether by circumstances or by our own choice, then we wonder, “Who am I?” That is what happens when our total identity and sense of worth are in our jobs.

Yes, your job-work-vocation-career has to incorporate how God has gifted you, what you want to accomplish, and how you want to be remembered. However, you need success equally in those other areas as well. You need a life plan with balance not only a job. Remember, a job is simply one tool for a successful life.

Your goal should be to plan your work around your life, rather than planning your life around your work.

→The Rat Race—Improve Your Life; Think Like a Rat

We talk about being in the rat race, but this statement is actually demeaning to the rats. Rats won’t stay in a race when it’s obvious that there’s no cheese. The best-seller Who Moved My Cheese showed how even smart rats quickly look for new routes to follow when the cheese is gone. Humans, on the other hand, seem to get themselves into traps from which they never escape. Some research shows that up to 70 percent of white-collar workers are unhappy with their jobs—ironically, they are also spending more and more time working.

Jan Halper, a Palo Alto psychologist, has spent 10 years exploring the careers and emotions of more than 4,000 male executives. He found that 58 percent of those in middle management felt they had wasted many years of their lives struggling to achieve their goals. They were bitter about the many sacrifices they had made during those years.

Rats, however, move on once they realize the cheese is gone or perhaps was never there. Rats would probably be embarrassed to be labeled as “being in the human race” for doing ridiculous things like continuing to go to a job that they hated every day.

Looking at areas other than your career helps you develop clear patterns and commonalties that then help define what your career/job/business/vocation ought to be. This really is a reverse process but one that leads to true fulfillment. Too often, people choose a career or line of work because Uncle Bob did it or because they heard that you could make a lot of money doing it.

→I Just Work for the Money

“I’ve never been happy practicing law.” “I have never had a sense of purpose.” “I feel destined to do something great but have no idea why or what.” “I work only for the money.”

These are statements from a young attorney, who in his last position had been sick for 6 months due to an illness “triggered initially by stress.” But a new “career opportunity” presented itself, and he is now working in a prestigious position with a Fortune 500 company. Unfortunately, the sickness is returning, starting with the symptoms of a choking feeling and shortness of breath.

Ultimately, money is never enough compensation for investing our time and energy. We need a sense of meaning, purpose, and accomplishment. Anything that does not blend our values, dreams, and passions will cause us, on some level, to choke. A life well lived must go beyond just making a paycheck—even if it’s a very large one.

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:10 that “the one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth [is] never [satisfied] with income. This too is futile.” If money is the only reward of your job, you will begin to see deterioration in your life physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.

I have to add an interesting side note. Proper alignment in doing work we love does not mean our families will be eating rice and beans. In fact, proper alignment releases not only a sense of peace and accomplishment, but money is likely to break in on you like an exploding dam.

• Recognize that your career is not your life. It is simply one tool for a successful life.

• Don’t put all your energies into one area. Be committed to achieving success in all areas of life.

• Our physical health has a direct relationship to the energy and creativity we bring to our work.

A plan of action will separate you from 97 percent of the people you meet. Everyone has dreams, but very few ever turn those into goals. The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a time frame of action attached.

1. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, is it realistic to expect a job to provide more than just a paycheck?

2. Have you ever had a sense of calling in your life? How did you hear that calling?

4. Is it reasonable to expect our work to be part of the fulfillment of our calling?

8. Do you go home at night with a sense of meaning, purpose, and accomplishment?

9. If you want different results next year, what will you change in what you are doing now?