Monday, September 25, 2006

discerning vocation

I came across some good help this week in a book called, “The scope of our art: the vocation of the theological teacher” edited by L. Gregory Jones and Stephanie Paulsell. In a chapter written by Jones (Negotiating the Tensions, pp.209-224) he pulls together four quotes that, he says, helps one navigate one’s vocational choices. For your enlightenment, here they are….

“Something’s your vocation if it keeps making more of you.”
Gail Godwin, Evensong

“When Christ calls [someone], He bids him come and die.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

"The place God calls you is the place where you deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC

“Do you want to make God laugh? Tell God your plans.”
Familiar Saying in Divinity School

2 comments:

ryan k said...

So a college degree equals intelligence?

billy said...

Some great quotes......I love the Buechner one...it speaks to me of a mystery worth pursuing...and the Gail Godwin quote is also a great statement on how we always receive more when we decided to truly give of ourselves (reminiscent of the pearl of great price parable)..but I'm not sure how we're ever going to be able to get people interested in "church" if we start teaching this Boenhoeffer stuff!