Is your "calling" necesarily something you enjoy?

Tough one... Well I have always loved music... I have been on stage since I was 3 and instead of using it for fame I am planning on using it to make an organiztion that will focus on the arts as a world outreach. I hate management and organization and I am not good at business either... so I guess in my experience... It is not all against my will, but it isn't all I would love to do either. I think most of the people in the Bible really had low expectations in their life and didn't know what to persue. The thing is we don't know if Moses had a passion to lead... we just know he was sort of shy. Here are some examples of things we do know.

Joseph we know had a dream. Obviously he had no idea about the stuff he would have to endure and he probably wan't a fan, but his dream came true didn't?

Joshua had a goal of getting the Isrealites into Cannon Land. He may have been discouraged by the first groups doubt, but He did get to go into the promised land did he not?

Saul is an interesting man that you brought up. Allow me to point out that he thought he was honoring God by being a pharisee. Then he had the road to Damasscus experience and he did get straightened out to honor God. So you tell me.... did he want to serve God?

I guess you could argue either or, but all I know is that God has always used the things I like doing, or that I do naturally to minister to people. When He does require me to do things I don't like and I obey, I find that it is far more satisfying than serving myself.

Nobody does one career for the rest of their life, unless they're either a highly dedicated professional, civil servant, or pro athlete/celebrity of some kind. The VAST majority of us are not given a specific calling by God. We are instead called to do as the Bible says, which is that in all we do, do it for the glory of God. It's extremely dangerous to think that everyone has one specific career calling, but it's a misconception that is very popular in the church nowadays.

alfrodull said:

I'm no writer, so the only thing I could do with an English degree is teach. I love the subject, but because of my science courses my GPA isn't high enough to be accepted to grad school in the humanities. This means I would end up teaching high school...Something I really, really don't think I'd like. And what good does teaching literature actually do for society?

Does this mean we're supposed to choose careers that will benefit the world regardless of what we enjoy? If so, why did God give us these passions in the first place?

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I think it does a lot of good. The more you read, the better you can comprehend what you're reading. Reading and comprehension is used for everything. It's a skill that you need all your life. If your GPA isn't high enough to go that way, talk to an adviser and see what you need to do to get to where you want. If you love something, go for it. I think learning about the great literary works of the world is a great thing to learn. It gives you culture and opens your eyes to different worlds. You have to use your brain a bit more and I don't see how that can't be useful. Don't settle if you're able to go the way you want. Sit down with someone and figure out a way to get to Grad. school if that's where you want to go.

I think God gave you that passion because you're to do something with it. He doesn't just give us useless things to take up our time till it's our time to enter the 'real' world.

ImperialPhantom said:

Nobody does one career for the rest of their life, unless they're either a highly dedicated professional, civil servant, or pro athlete/celebrity of some kind. The VAST majority of us are not given a specific calling by God. We are instead called to do as the Bible says, which is that in all we do, do it for the glory of God. It's extremely dangerous to think that everyone has one specific career calling, but it's a misconception that is very popular in the church nowadays.

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i would have to agree with that

I believe Father puts a passion in us, and at first it is usually used for wicked or carnal things. For me it was music, i loved playing secular music and singing lyrics and listening to songs that were of no benifit to me if not harmful for the junk i put in me. Then father showed me that the passion for music is in there for a reason. Next he is sending me through trials to refine that gift. I may never be a jimmy hindrex or however you spell it, but all is according to his glory. He will lead me to progress my talent as i need to. Durring this time of trial i am trying to practice and use what i have in the little things and be faithful. This is the time i feel the least called and unable to succeed.

But to answer your question i dont believe your calling will make you unhappy. If you are unhappy in it, there are 2 options. 1. You are being ungrateful in what he has led you to do and grumbling and complaining like the Israelites in the desert, or 2. Your mishearing what God is trying to tell you.

As far as your situation goes maybe its none of those options and thats why he is closing doors?

Oooh...I feel like I wrote this myself. I am about to graduate with a degree in English which means I will most likely be teaching. There are other things you can do with a degree in English. You could work with advertising companies or just about anywhere that needs people who can communicate well, but it will take some creativity and advertising yourself.

I don't necessarily want to teach, but I think I will be good at it. I do feel very called to help other people. I badly want to leave the country and volunteer or work for an organization which helps those in need. There are plenty of groups looking for people to teach English to others which might be more exciting to you than teaching high school.

Explore your options. There are tons of them out there.

alfrodull said:

Does this mean we're supposed to choose careers that will benefit the world regardless of what we enjoy? If so, why did God give us these passions in the first place?

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As John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." God requires us not only to serve him, but to make it our joy to do so. Therefore when we obey the greatest two commandments, we should be enjoying it. Of course, our sinfulness makes us pursue other desires instead of God, so I think that when we don't get joy out of serving God, it's because we don't understand what truly ought to be giving us joy.

Now as to your question, I don't personally view my career as a calling, though I most definitely enjoy it. I am a physicist, and I certainly love going to work, even to the extent that I love talking about it afterwards. But ultimately I know that I could serve God in many other capacities, and I feel that this is where I ought to derive my pleasure.

Ultimately I think that we are defined not by our careers, but by whether or not we are known by God.

alfrodull said:

I've been thinking about which careers would make the world a better place.

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Any career can make the world a better place. (Within reason; I don't think inappropriate content star exactly makes the world a better place.)

This means I would end up teaching high school...Something I really, really don't think I'd like. And what good does teaching literature actually do for society? On the other hand, the benefits of science are fairly obvious. If I was actually good at it and enjoyed it, I'd jump in without hesitation.

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What adults spend the most time with people who have will influence the world? Elementry, middle, and highschool teachers.

If you are concerned about impacting people's lives, I think it's quite arguable that as a high school literature teacher you have more potential to influence society than you would exercising chemistry skills.

I've been looking at Scripture for examples, and I've been finding that most Biblical figures didn't choose their own paths. Those who weren't born into their station (which, granted, was the cultural norm back then) were basically coerced by God into doing something they didn't care for. Look at Saul, or Jonah, or most of the Judges.

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Realize that Saul, Jonah, etc are not "normal" people in many ways.

They are not more or less important/special than you or me, however it would be unwise to look at their lives and think God will interact with us the same way He did them.

Read about someone like Ruth. The Bible never records her being given some special command or plan to follow by God. In fact, it would appear from the book of Ruth that she was just a regular gal (probably not that different from you) who loved Jesus.

Now if you read Jesus' genealogy in the Gospels you find out... Ruth was in the direct family line of Jesus. Just a regular gal like you, no extraordinary God-experiences, but she loved Jesus and God used her in a way she probably never would've guessed about during her life on this earth.

Does this mean we're supposed to choose careers that will benefit the world regardless of what we enjoy? If so, why did God give us these passions in the first place?

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It's only in recent history that the idea of having a career we can love has been thought of as something other than a joke.

Also, it's only in recent history that we have begun to look forward to our careers being our lives.

Passions can exist and be pursued appart from your career/job.

ImperialPhantom said:

The VAST majority of us are not given a specific calling by God. We are instead called to do as the Bible says, which is that in all we do, do it for the glory of God. It's extremely dangerous to think that everyone has one specific career calling, but it's a misconception that is very popular in the church nowadays.

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Indeed.

a "calling" isn't always the same thing as career in my opinion. but with God, thankfully He offers inner peace and there is a deep satisfaction on the inside. sometimes I don't enjoy every minute of the day, but I do take comfort in Jesus' encouragements to persevere and pray for our abusers, that sort of thing. Romans 5:1-4 also talks about persevering through suffering.

alfrodull said:

Uh, have you ever counted the number of people you know with a "passion for music", or a "passion for writing"? Not that these people don't genuinely have them, but, in our culture, it's far more than can realistically put that passion to practical use. (Maybe back in the days when there was no radio or printing press it was a different story.)

I think God gives us appreciation for these aesthetic things because he wants us to see the beauty in his creation, not necessarily because we're supposed to make our living with them.

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Uh...then don't purse something in English?

I agree, sometimes our careers aren't what we 'love' because sometimes what we love doesn't make a lot of money. However, there are many things you can do with a English degree...

God puts certain desires and passions in your heart that will follow you calling... God is not going to create you and put no leadership skills in you and then ask you to be president of America.. Follow your heart, pray to God, Let him take your step and you will find yourself doing his call for your life and enjoying life more than you could ever realize or hope to

In the bible, it says Serve the Lord with Gladness...I believe that truly, God wants us to be happy, He would not place a calling on your life that you will hate...you may fight it at first, as I know several who have...but you find out later on that it's what you were called to do! I am really trying to figure out my calling as well, but I have a pretty good idea about it...and it all has to do with my passions, and the things I'm good at! Whatever God called you to do, He has already equipped you with whatever tools you need to do it! So seek God, look back on what you REALLY like to do...Put it like this...if money were no object, if college majors didn't matter (because in some aspects, they really dont...u can be an english major and prob end up on Wall Street!)...what is the one thing in life that you would want to do?

BeautifulDestiny09 said:

I believe that truly, God wants us to be happy, He would not place a calling on your life that you will hate...you may fight it at first, as I know several who have...but you find out later on that it's what you were called to do!

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Not so sure of that. Read Lamentations sometime and I think you'll see what I mean.

Whatever God called you to do, He has already equipped you with whatever tools you need to do it!

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look back on what you REALLY like to do...Put it like this...if money were no object, if college majors didn't matter (because in some aspects, they really dont...u can be an english major and prob end up on Wall Street!)...what is the one thing in life that you would want to do?

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Do this with a measure of discernment.

There is no shortage of 5ft people who really, really want to play pro basketball. But well... that height limitation means they end up doing something else.

My undergrad was in Communications. I loved writing, speaking and doing PR type of work. However, for my Masters God called me into Counseling. I fought it but did it although it took me awhile to understand why.

I am anointed to be an in-home counselor with teenagers. It took me about 6 months to understand why God directed me this way. But he did.

to the OP, i think too, you don't need to think like, what good would it do to teach this or that, but rather think how would God use you in the area you might be teaching. God will use you in whatever you do. i'm sure whatever career you end up having, the people you are around will be able to see Him shining through you and see you're different. you never know the impact you can have on lives, even years after you've had encounters with those people. GBU ask God to open and close doors too where necessary.

alfrodull said:

So in the next few weeks, I'm going to have to decide what I want to do with my life. I can either continue on with my chemistry requirements, which I'm admittedly terrible at, or I can drop them to focus on my other major, English, which I much more fond of.

I want to take the path God desires for me, but he's being kind of silent about it. I've been thinking about which careers would make the world a better place.

I'm no writer, so the only thing I could do with an English degree is teach. I love the subject, but because of my science courses my GPA isn't high enough to be accepted to grad school in the humanities. This means I would end up teaching high school...Something I really, really don't think I'd like. And what good does teaching literature actually do for society? On the other hand, the benefits of science are fairly obvious. If I was actually good at it and enjoyed it, I'd jump in without hesitation.

I've been looking at Scripture for examples, and I've been finding that most Biblical figures didn't choose their own paths. Those who weren't born into their station (which, granted, was the cultural norm back then) were basically coerced by God into doing something they didn't care for. Look at Saul, or Jonah, or most of the Judges.

Does this mean we're supposed to choose careers that will benefit the world regardless of what we enjoy? If so, why did God give us these passions in the first place?

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I think one thing you might want to do before choosing is look into what an English teacher really does, because it doesn't look like you quite have an appreciation for it.

What I teach, more than anything, is critical thinking, and to say that that's not valuable is simply wrong. Sometimes that critical thinking is taught through reading literature, sometimes through essays, sometimes through film, sometimes through speech, sometimes through writing...

Also, good literature -- worthwhile literature -- deals with themes and issues that make students think about the world they live in and what their place in it is, and how they can enact change.

Personally, I don't want a populace that can't make sense of the proposition they're voting on. I think it's important that people read and understand contracts they sign. I think it's invaluable that they can see how they are being manipulated by charismatic speakers. I think it's necessary that they are able to evaluate the reliability of sources and how to conduct research before swallowing everything they're told.

Hehe... obviously I'm passionate about what I do.

I also take offense that you basically implied that those who can't do teach when you said " I'm no writer, so the only thing I could do with an English degree is teach." I do a ton of writing in my job, and I'm not sure how I could be a model of good writing to my students if I weren't a good writer myself. Teaching is not something people should fall back on because they don't know what else to do with their degree. It's a life-consuming career.

But that doesn't mean everyone is passionate about what they do. I think you should study what you feel passionate about, but that that doesn't mean you'll actually be in that career. My dad, for instance, is a photographer at heart, but circumstances haven't allowed him to pursue that full-time. So he does manual labor. But he does his best every day, even though it's a thankless job, and he's an amazing father and has four successful children, which I'm sure brings him satisfaction that his job does not.

So... do what you want to do now. If chemistry is your passion, then spend more time studying and stick with it. My ex was a biochem major and his grades weren't the best. His first job in the field wasn't what he wanted, but he learned on the job and built his resume and now he's doing his dream.

If things don't work out, you'll find your passion in something else, whether or not it's related to your career (though I will say it's very convenient when your passion is also your career).

Good luck.

Hmmmm...I believe yes, however at first you may not be attracted to what God has called you for, and you may sometimes go astray. Or you may just be born loving something, or with certain skills that can lead towards Gods calling for you. I believe it can go either way.

alfrodull said:

So in the next few weeks, I'm going to have to decide what I want to do with my life. I can either continue on with my chemistry requirements, which I'm admittedly terrible at, or I can drop them to focus on my other major, English, which I much more fond of.

I want to take the path God desires for me, but he's being kind of silent about it. I've been thinking about which careers would make the world a better place.

I'm no writer, so the only thing I could do with an English degree is teach. I love the subject, but because of my science courses my GPA isn't high enough to be accepted to grad school in the humanities. This means I would end up teaching high school...Something I really, really don't think I'd like. And what good does teaching literature actually do for society? On the other hand, the benefits of science are fairly obvious. If I was actually good at it and enjoyed it, I'd jump in without hesitation.

I've been looking at Scripture for examples, and I've been finding that most Biblical figures didn't choose their own paths. Those who weren't born into their station (which, granted, was the cultural norm back then) were basically coerced by God into doing something they didn't care for. Look at Saul, or Jonah, or most of the Judges.

Does this mean we're supposed to choose careers that will benefit the world regardless of what we enjoy? If so, why did God give us these passions in the first place?

Click to expand...

Follow your bliss.