27 Comments
User's avatar
Laurie Roberts's avatar

"There are many things I could do, a handful of things I must do, and a couple of things only I can do. Naming and discerning those things can be a challenge even on a good day."

This hit home today. I am adding it to my morning liturgy, at least for this season.

Expand full comment
Allison's avatar

To answer your questions backwards; yes, it feels a bit indulgent right at this moment to have the privilege of time and discernment. That’s because of *waves hands around* all going on in America (and El Salvador). So to have a job that helps me care for my family and fits part, if not all, of my core values seems “good enough” right now. And yet my soul still speaks…

And now I’ve forgotten your other questions already! That’s enough for now, I suppose. Thank you for helping us be here in the moment with you.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

It hit me recently as I looked at my Substack byline or whatever you call it ... that this is what I did all those years as a pastoral counselor. We're blessed when what we 'did' then simply morphs into who we are in the here and now. Like coming full circle. Gracefully. It makes me smile.

'Linda is a gentle, enthusiastic companion on your journey toward Christ-centered emotional healing, spiritual growth, & peaceful living.'

Expand full comment
Anita Rankin's avatar

Lately I am deeply considering: what is mine to do. Also, what is not mine. Sometimes I feel a relief when I realize, that situation is not mine to give attention or resolve. I am learning as I go.

Expand full comment
Jenn Warren's avatar

Amen and amen to realizing and being confident of what is not your’s to do.

Expand full comment
Alexandria's avatar

I’m feeling constant tension because I am able to pretty well articulate what my purpose on this earth is, the ways I can live out this purpose, and the ways I get to do so unexpectedly— these are all in tension with the fact that I simply need to make enough money to live. Without continual debt, I cannot afford to live (I’m very blessed, I have a roof over my head and plenty of food to eat). And so I feel both guilty and delusional when I pray and read about vocation because practically it feels like a luxury. Even after reading the questions you and Warren ask (sooo good, thank you for including them) and taking in the weightiness of living out ones vocation, it still feels like I’m being ignorant and wasting time asking these questions when the job I have and the ones I apply for will not bring in enough money.

I’m sharing this only because I’m sure I’m not the only one, so hopefully this encourages someone to know they are not alone. I don’t have answers, but maybe simply being honest about how you feel/think will be one step in the right direction for all of us.

Expand full comment
Juanita's avatar

Thank you for sharing how you feel, Alexandria, I also relate to the financial struggles that you mention. And thank you Emily for another post full of questions to ponder.

In my case, as someone who's been living in a long hallway, I feel kind of lost about my place in the world. At this point in my life I've tried to apply the notion that clarity about my vocation will come through action, not thought - but even that sometimes collides with the fact that there are tangible needs that need to be met.

I also have to say that I've experienced God's provision in unexpected and creative ways, and I'm learning more and more how I'm not the provider for my family, God is. I'm learning to rest, and at the same time to act on faith, not knowing exactly where I'm going, but hoping God is leading the way.

Expand full comment
Jennifer C's avatar

In a period of life after work layoff - and having some time and space to think about vocation. This is such a good reminder my vocation is still not cancelled - as my life still continues today - even though I don't have a "job" to do today. I'm thinking about what is mine to do - love my neighbors, family, community and taking care of myself. Thank you for your wise words.

Expand full comment
amber salhus's avatar

i love this idea that all truths are connected and lead us to god.

Expand full comment
Conscious Curiosity's avatar

This resonates so deeply with me right now. Just within the last 6 weeks, I stepped out in faith in response to what feels like a vocational “calling” of a sort, an idea to create a resource to take the overwhelm out of the world of (abundant!) resources in the parenting / therapy / psychology space. Sort of a “cliff notes for grown ups” type thing, if you will.

But my goodness, I’m learning how very hard it is to create & launch a new thing out into the world…even if you have complete clarity of vision & purpose in it. I’m battling the insecurity of insufficiency, wondering if it’s a waste of time or will ever get off the ground. But deep down, I do believe it is something I am uniquely wired & equipped to offer the world.

These words leapt off the screen to me: “There are many things I could do, a handful of things I must do, and a couple of things only I can do. Naming and discerning those things can be a challenge even on a good day.”

But name & discern them I will. This came right on time. Thank you Emily!

Expand full comment
Ruth Larson's avatar

I love the question “what is only mine to do?”thanks for another thoughtful piece. Also enjoying the Lenten recordings in the Quiet app.

Expand full comment
Ellen Keesling's avatar

At 62, I look back at the many vocations I had, some for a short time, others for longer. Some I left behind easily, others were harder to release. I am learning to discern when to step away, continue, pivot, let go or take ahold of. The younger me was not so flexible. 😬 If my current vocation isn’t working, I ask myself what has changed, or what door might the Lord be closing so I can enter a different one?

Expand full comment
Emily P. Freeman's avatar

I wonder - in the midst of all of the transition and change (as there always is over a lifetime!) if there is a common thread of a vocational fixed point. So even as the job/role changed, the vocation remained with you?

Expand full comment
Ellen Keesling's avatar

I look back and see the teacher, connector and writer in me as a common thread. As a youth leader (where I met my husband), I yearned to instill lessons I had learned - the teacher emerged. As an IT support person, I was always looking to document processes with the purpose of training future employees, even though that wasn't a big part of my job. At church, I wrote several two-hour Advent by Candlelight programs. I once wrote a regular family newsletter where I collected handwritten family updates via snail mail. At DK books home parties, I thrived on finding the perfect book for a customer. In the summertime, the neighborhood kids gathered in our family room to "travel" to far-away countries. One neighbor boy who wanted to be a pilot (he is now!) helped us "become airborne" and we used books, recipes and art to explore other cultures. As a new empty-nester, I went back to school for a MAESL and taught formally for the very first time. At the same time, I got a PT job at Barnes & Noble, knowing I desired to assist customers in promoting reading. My "vocation" didn't always provide income, but each time I put on a different hat, my natural inclinations seemed to burst forth. Now, I am becoming a breast cancer advocate and mentor, but the teacher, connector and writer in me are guiding me to the best avenues to do this. It is only recently that I have recognized and named these vocations and began to say no to opportunities that didn't align.

Expand full comment
Christine Wilson's avatar

Emily, this is so good. Where can I find more of your thoughts on vocation vs occupation?

Expand full comment
Stacey Sisk's avatar

I am also interested in more discussion about that distinction!

Expand full comment
Janell Rardon's avatar

Once again, you've listened to my conversations with God of late, Emily. The title, "Your Vocation is Not Cancelled," was a prophetic word on a dark, lonely day in my soul and heart this week. "Why am I here?" I asked God. "Why does my work seemingly not 'sell well' or 'grow' into greater influence?" "Should I quit?" "Why keep working for nothing?" "What does any of it matter, anyway?" "Am I fooling myself?" "What am I missing?" It's been an exhausting few years of these questions continually following me around like a group of bandits. They steal my joy and rob my sense of purpose. In the last 2.5 years, I've been privileged to have five new grandbabies placed in my arms. Yes, I feel indulgent, sad, and even shamed, if I am honest, to ask questions about my vocation when my family grows so beautifully. How can I be so selfish and think of my vocation at a time when my children and grandchildren need me? My husband has retired, and we've sold our family business of 36 years. How can I think of my vocation? Emily, thank you. I'm taking these questions to heart and hopefully, next time I fly into Wichita to visit my son and his family (who live in McPherson - 45 minutes from Wichita), I can visit Warren and Eighth Day Books.

Expand full comment
Pattie's avatar

Also I visited Eighth Day on Saturday with the indie bookstore crawl. And I saw your book. Kismet?

Expand full comment
Pattie's avatar

Emily, you are the reason I know about Eighth Day Books (and I had lived in Wichita two years before learning about this beautiful store). I am so glad they are a part of the independent bookstore crawl next weekend so that more people will know this treasure.

Expand full comment
Kathleen Acker's avatar

This quote and questions from Christine Valters Painter is part of my pondering these days helping and guiding me on this vocation/calling journey.

"As we release the hold of expectations and disappointments, as we stop trying to live into the imagined life and live the one we have been given, we discover a profound inner freedom to make choices out of love, rather than obligation or resentment." What are the expectations and

disappointments you're holding onto? What shifts internally when you invite love to guide your choices? ~CVP

Expand full comment
Kim's avatar

I’ve been holding questions about calling and vocation. I wrestle with the word “calling”—not sure if it’s because of how I’ve perceived it used. This is helpful and I will use some of the questions as I discern.

Expand full comment
Kerri Wolcott's avatar

I, too, wrestle with the word calling. It was used to promote a culture of overwork in the missionary circles overseas that I grew up in - since everything was included in the "calling" - and promoted a sense of (subtle) superiority. I do resonate with vocation and I appreciate these questions Emily.

Expand full comment