“Describe your ideal job,” the vice president of human resources asked me in October 2005, during what I thought would just be a run-of-the-mill networking conversation.
Thrilled that such a leader would ask me such a question, I described that job with clarity and passion—and his response was basically along the lines of, “Well, guess what?” And two weeks later that job was mine.
In this series of posts, I have been emphasizing the value of a strategic, integrative life, which at its core synergizes three “buckets” of Health, Family and Vocation. I have written so far about key emphases in Health and Family, and today I would like to discuss how the culmination of these first two buckets is being fully available to live out the third one in a manner that—while not always “ideal”—is quite fulfilling.
Vocation, from my perspective, is ultimately all about calling. It is that larger sense of purpose that is constantly fueled by intrinsic inspiration and motivation—fuel made possible through holistic health and a stable, nurturing family life. Such calling stirs us to certain core activities that, in general, tend to revolve around community, learning, networking and our work.
Community service will vary for each one of us, but it is a natural outgrowth of the healthy, family-oriented individual. By living these first two buckets well, a person cannot help but want to contribute to their community. The desire to see stronger families and neighborhoods, more economic development, a thriving church or other non-profits, etc., simply compels us to find a way to contribute.
In addition, energy flowing out of the first two buckets gives us the DNA of lifelong learning. Whether this is expressed through books, courses, traveling or simply the way we engage other people does not matter. It is a hunger to learn and grow that never abates.
Networking is another expression of this energy. It becomes second nature to want to explore additional possibilities, to expand our circle of relationships and influence, to find further avenues for our talents and strengths.
Our work, finally, is a manifestation of how we are serving, learning and networking, for all three of these activities make us better at what we do and give us varied, progressive opportunities to do it in the first place. Our work is stewardship of our strengths, which are a confluence of our natural talents, our competencies and our experiences. We strive for, and often achieve, excellence in our work because it is undergirded by holistic health, solid family life and a persistent sense of calling. This is where the “ideal job” becomes viable.
The earthly journey of Jesus was soaked in vocational calling. His priority was to serve, nurture and equip the people of Israel. While he understood human nature perfectly well, he grappled in prayer with the Father to learn more of the unfolding destiny that lay before him. He was certainly expanding his circle of relationships on a daily basis, setting in motion the movement that has never ceased. And his work was to heal, to teach, to love—and, finally, to die. So that we might live.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes in The Cost of Discipleship, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him, ‘Come and die.’” Sort of gives a new twist to the concept of “ideal,” doesn’t it?
From an authentic, holistic death to self, we can truly contribute as organizational managers and leaders. Living the buckets well, we bear fruit that will last. Our series of posts continues...