I have thought a lot about the idea of calling and vocation lately. Working with young people I find myself saying.. you don’t need to have it all figured out. I really wanted a 5 year plan. I have always wanted a 5 year plan. I don’t think God has ever let me have one.
PLU taught me that vocation was the spot where your great passion met the world’s great need (thanks Wild Hope). I learned working at Puyallup Foursquare that ministry was who I was, not what I did. Recently I learned from Pastor Frank Damazio (City Bible Church) that ministry was a calling and that the practical of what I did was the current function.
Not everyone feels like they are called (but they are) or that they have to have a vocation (but they can). I have always loved working but I wanted to do something I loved.
When I was in third grade I wanted to be a fashion designer and a doctor. I think somewhere deep down, I knew that money could be shaky in the arts. In 6th grade I still wanted to be a doctor but there was a part of me that really wanted to work at MTV. I identified doctor as a smart person vocation.. and I liked being smart. I identified MTV as a place of arts and a place I could wear jeans to work.
In high school I was drawn to many things. Music business, drama, writing, graphic design, photography. I was also drawn to helping people and figuring things out. I worked at a real estate office as a receptionist and I taught clarinet lessons. I also wanted to be a smart person.
In college I freaked out and on my third try I picked Music Education. I really enjoyed it. Everything about it. What I probably learned most in my music education classes was that I was a leader and I learned how to be a better leader. I also started serving in church on the worship team and with the youth ministry. At one point I felt what I now know was God pointing me towards ministry.
I taught very briefly after college and quickly learned that I like working with young people and I hated bell schedules. I loved mentoring and couldn’t stand grading periods! I didn’t know I was a free spirit – or had problems with authority… who knows.
After that I worked as an admission counselor and finally landed at Puyallup Foursquare working with the Executive Pastor and eventually the creative pastor (apologize for the run on sentence). I thought everything had let to that. I got to use all the things I had learned and loved it. I waited a few years and then finally got my district pastoral license in the Foursquare Denomination (tell that to 3rd grade me).
When we moved to Camas, I came back to an old passion.. graphics, art and writing. Armed with a hand me down computer and an old copy of Adobe Illustrator.. I learned a lot.. and then I learned some more. Somehow I ended up being the Communications Director at Grace Church. I’ve taught myself quite a bit and learned a lot from friends and other churches/businesses. I also get to pastor people – my favorites being those 6th grade – college. I love the local church and what it is capable of doing for the community and world (like giving away in over $27,000 in assistance in a year among other things).
The coolest part is that I haven’t arrived. I can look back and see the tapestry of my calling. I look at the areas God has placed me and it is pretty amazing. I never thought making 700 calls to prospective students would be a layer in that but it is (finding something to talk about with an angry 8th grade girl can be hard sometimes!).
I am convinced that no matter where you are in life… there is still more to be done. We are on a journey. **Edit** so when you are frustrated and angry at where you at… remember.. there is more ** It is okay that I don’t know what 5 years from now looks like. I’m on the journey to what I will be when I grow up.
