More on calling...

because this is what I'm exploring these days...

We have a group of pastors and their wives here this week. What has stuck out the most about this group is their effusive thanks for everything that we do. Scooping their ice cream last night, I was struck by the stark contrast between their group and others, particularly the college/young adult groups that come up. Last night I received endless compliments, eye contact, thanks for the small task I was doing (and for all of the other things that the Conference/Kitchen staff has done for them, which I really had no part in). With the other demographic, I rarely got even a smile.

We respond in effusive gratitude when we recognize the goodness of what is provided/the provider.

From Julian of Norwich:
"God only desires that our soul cling to him with all of its strength, in particular, that it clings to his goodness. For all of the things our minds can think about God, it is thinking upon his goodness that pleases him most and brings the most profit to our soul...

For we are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it. No created being can ever know how much and how sweetly and tenderly God loves them. It is only with the help of his grace that we are able to persevere in spiritual contemplation with endless wonder at his high surpassing, immeasurable love which our Lord in his goodness has for us...

For of all things, contemplating and loving the Creator made my soul seem less in its own sight and filled it full with reverent fear and true meekness and wit much love for my fellow Christians."

One reason that "calling" is about God's revelation of himself and my response is that my calling is not about me or my competencies. If I approach the "what should my life be about?" question from the "What am I good at?" perspective, I am going to end up focusing on my abilities and being frustrated with God when he doesn't seem to be working things out according to where I think I should be going.

Instead, this is a "calling", God is doing the action - it is call-and-response. He leads, I follow. Following requires listening. Following requires humility and a deep gratitude that comes from an understanding of his grace.

This isn't pragmatic - I don't get the steps handed to me and work on accomplishing them. It's not about honing my skills so the power to achieve comes from within me. The more I contemplate the goodness of God, the more I understand his grace, and the more effusively I follow his direction in my life - out of gratitude.

Of course I will end with an excerpt from Valley of Vision:

Return again with showers of converting grace
to a poor gospel-abusing sinner.
Help my soul to breathe after holiness,
after a constant devotedness to thee,
after growth in grace more abundantly every day...
Help me to hold out a little longer,
until the happy hour of deliverance comes,
for I cannot lift my soul to thee
if thou of thy goodness bring me not nigh...
I confide in thee and lean upon thee,
and need thee at all times to assist and lead me.
O that all my distresses and apprehensions
might prove but Christ's school
to make me fit for greater service
by teaching me the great lesson of humility.