Recently, my husband and I took a course on transitioning with intentionality as we shift our priorities in a different life season.
The professor was Dr. Gordon Smith, who also writes on Substack HERE. However, please don’t mention that I sent you over there to him, as he may not agree with EVERY one of my life applications in this Newsletter, as I reflected on some of his comments. Plus, I wouldn’t want him to feel like I was showing him up! (I should humbly hint at.)
So if we want to live with intentionality, one thing we can do is read a book like this, which was required reading for our course. This book is entirely different from what I usually read. I typically read books on how to do things fast and faster!1
This book is different!
In one of the chapters (I forget which), Awakening Vocation hints that the book is intended for individuals seeking to discover meaning, purpose, and other similar goals. “Hey, sounds like me!” I thought. I’ve been trying to find meaning in life since the day I was born, but every time I pick up some old fluff on he ground that might be “meaningful,” it flies away on the wind again!2
And so, what did you learn, you ask us?
Oh, that part is easy!
Here are some of my scribbled sentences as I reflected on the content of that course:
- Our work is a participation in God’s work. Look around and ask, “What in the world are you up to, God?” (Application: I ask God that question a lot, so I am obviously very good at this! Just saying!)
- The more we do, the greater the impact we can make! (Application: The Professor may have meant this sentence as irony, but I forgot, and if so, I don’t fully understand what he’s getting at.)
- YOU are invited onto the stage into the drama of God’s redemptive work in this world. (Application: This part made me cry, but maybe that’s because I have always wanted people to clap for me on a stage and appreciate me and so forth. Wait. This tip is about God, I think, but it’s easy to mix up our ego with some of “God’s priorities” if we’re honest, don’t you find?)
- Let go of the need to control the outcomes of our work or endeavors. (Application: I’ve tried to let go of the need to control, but this is a LOT harder than it seems. So, if you skip this point, I don’t blame you.)
- We are always endeavoring to be in sync as much as we can with what God is calling us to do. (Application: YES! I GET this point! And God is calling me to write for some reason, and I am so excited to have coffee with you and get to know you better are we explore these ideas together – We will announce a regular Zoom connection time as soon as I am not so disorganized that I remember to look at my calendar and the commitments I’ve made, or at least when I stop watching so many movies at night!)
So friends, join us as we link our heads, hearts and spirits to the new priorities God is calling us to.
As the song below sings, “And I’ll search, I’ll search here for answers,” consider asking God, “Is the horizon of where you are asking me to walk towards further than I can see? Can you show me the next step?”
God, I pray that you help each one of us slow down and listen and then have the courage to fly into everything you are calling us to become as we press onwards, warmed by the light of the Son, we pray.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles
Photo Credits – How Does One Soar? by César Ardila on Unsplash, Eagle Shows Us How by Rachel McDermott on Unsplash
Thank you for liking me! I like you too! Let’s journey together!
1 In fact, the best advice I ever received is that rather than trying to read a book fast, decide whether you should read it at all! Now, I don’t bother reading so many books, and that’s how I know I’m efficient!
2 Anyone else feel this way? No? SHOW OFF!
Restoring Life 