LIFE AND CALLING (PART 1): THE EARLY DAYS IN THE FIELD

Life and Calling: The Early Days in the Field

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Proverbs 24: 27

Perhaps the most glaring achievement for students in post-secondary education is the successful acquisition of a degree within a chosen field of study (vocation and calling)—particularly one that is properly aligned with the gifts (strengths) of the student. Yet, the acquisition of a degree is by no means the culminating act that qualifies one for embarking upon life’s calling and all of its attendant responsibilities: You must “make it fit for thyself in the field.”

Make no mistake, obtaining a degree is a significant marker; however, the work of proving one’s efforts within the field—and doing so before taking on significant responsibilities involving others—is where “commencement” really happens. For upon the “proving grounds” of a chosen field of labour (vocation and calling) are many important lessons that will ultimately prepare you for undertaking life-long responsibilities that will impact others.

1. You learn the all-important principle of overcoming: All too often, precious young men and women lay claim to the wonderful calls upon their lives whether it be in ministerial vocations or equally sacred vocational tasks in other spheres of life; however, many have failed to successfully overcome any trials and difficulties prior to seeking to lead others. Demonstrating a proven ability to overcome difficult circumstances—and preferably more than one—is infinitely more impactful than merely communicating the stories of others who have overcome.  (If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? Jeremiah 12:5)

2. You learn the principle of stewardship. Who would’ve thought that the worldly would be commended for their ability to rightly utilize money to achieve particular purposes? Yet, this is precisely the idea in the remarks, ” […] the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. (Luke 16:8)” The unjust steward having been dismissed by his employer was wise enough to use his employ, his authority and the money under his stewardship to secure him a place so that he would not be without future employment. He made friends with these material possessions and relied upon these to please his future employers who greatly appreciated those measures that he had taken on their behalf. He is deemed wiser than the children of light, because unlike the unjust steward, many professors of light have not learned to successfully negotiate and navigate life in a manner that is practically profitable, whether it be in the faith or without the faith. (And if ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Luke 16:11)

3. You learn the principle of “seed time and harvest”. Unfortunately, there is no better preparation for monumental tasks and callings than time and patience.  Many would be the challenges, dangers and hostile persons and events rising against us if we were to begin building prematurely and speedily. For if we are not strong enough, wise enough, mature enough or increased enough to handle life’s awesome opportunities—and attendant responsibilities—such opportunities would be unnecessarily wasted when placed within our care. While we should never ask whether we will one day assume great responsibilities—this is a foregone conclusion in the affirmative—we might rightly question whether we are presently mature enough. (And he who receives the word with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keeps it, and brings it forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15)

4. You learn to prove your own worth and gain confidence from your own individual labors. One final way of discerning whether we are in lockstep with the pursuit of our calling—and the future responsibilities that will attend to them—is to determine whether what we are currently doing is good and profitable. For when our gifts truly accompany our callings, we will experience increasing fruitfulness that we will be able to test and prove by pointing to our past labors that will gradually increase into greater labors. (For precept must be upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. Isaiah 28:10)