Jeffrey C. Long

I get a daily devotional called inward/outward in my email. This recent one caught my eye.

True Vocation http://www.inwardoutward.org/?p=658

by Parker Palmer

Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks we will also find our path of authentic service in the world. True vocation joins self and service, as Frederick Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as ‘the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.’ Buechner’s definition starts with the self and moves toward the needs of the world: it begins, wisely, where vocation begins not in what the world needs (which is everything), but in the nature of the human self, in what brings the self joy, the deep joy of knowing that we are here on earth to be the gifts that God created. Source: Let Your Life Speak

I think this sentiment is laudable. It reminds me of the old saying “do what you love and the money will follow.” But my experience so far has been that pursuing your true calling is really hard work and fraught with many obstacles. And I haven’t met many people who feel like they have arrived. For most of us life keeps us busy paying bills, raising our children and repairing our houses.

I think that where sentiments like this get us hung up is that they seem to point us to a finish line to cross. Palmer seems to be saying that “authentic selfhood” is a destination to be reached. But some of the greatest despair I’ve felt was when I looked forward to a hoped for future only to have it dashed on the rocks of reality.

I think a better alternative is to ask the simple question “What’s the next action?” This comes from David Allen’s “Getting Things Done.” Instead of looking for the finish line, focus on taking the next step along the path. Allen calls this horizontal thinking as opposed to the visionary work of vertical thinking. Of course, it’s important to pause now and then to make sure that we have the right destination in mind. Otherwise, you’ll be on the wrong path and taking the wrong next actions. But I think the majority of the work that needs to be done is in answering the question “What should I do next?”

So I think our response to Palmer should not be “What will it look like when I have arrived at that authentic selfhood.” Nor should we expect the money to follow when we do what we love. Instead we should ask “What can I do right now to be true to myself. What can I do this week that I love.” I think that we may never arrive at a destination we imagined. But I think there will be more joy on the journey.