I sat down at the computer typing, and there was a homework question coming from the kitchen table a few feet away. I looked at the clock and saw dinner was approaching, and I had nothing. The blank screen stared and the blinking cursor mocked. This is not how I thought it would feel to pursue my calling.
I’ve been on a path for over a year to figure out what role writing plays in my purpose. Tapping words on the screen, some better than others, I’m still uncertain of the shape and direction to go. I’ve been wandering in my own desert looking for water.
This is not how I thought it would feel to pursue my calling. Click To TweetWhen I opened the mailbox to discover Jeff Goins’ latest book The Art of Work, I thought I’d found it. Clearly, this must be it. The subtitle reads: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do.
YES! That. I want that.
And I cracked the spine, highlighter and pen in hand and began a process.
I hate process. I like knowing. I like being finished and checking things off my list. I wanted to breeze through the book, clearly know what I’m meant to do and then add the title to my Read in 2015 board on Pinterest. But I couldn’t.
This book took me somewhere I didn't expect. The best books tend to do that. #artofwork Click To TweetIt took me into parts of myself that I’ve closed off for years. It brought me face to face with my questions, fears, and uncertainties about those big philosophical questions. I met people from all over the world through Jeff’s stories. People that looked at the same questions and were walking out their answers one step at a time. Because the subtitle is exactly right, it is a path and I was so busy looking for the endpoint I was missing the journey.
Each page took me through the process of thinking and evaluating my dreams and calling. It addressed the questions and pitfalls I kept getting stuck in all while weaving in stories of people who have been through the process and are just a bit further along on their path.
As I neared the end of the book I read the words that pierced the heart of the push and pull I’d been feeling for years.
Sometimes all the little things in life aren’t interruptions to our calling. They are the most important part.
Jeff Goins, The Art of Work
Here I was struggling to carve out time for what I thought would be my true calling, all along missing the fact that helping with homework and making dinner, movie night and lazy Sunday’s, taking the dogs out and lunch dates with my husband, all of it is part of my calling.
And the question is not how to eliminate things to make room for my calling?
The question is how do the things in my life work together to help me become my calling?
Check out Jeff Goins’ book here!
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Great post! It seems like it should be simpler, but there are always interruptions on the journey to living out our calling. But that is when I realized the Lord calls me to love above all, and I was looking for something neatly packaged instead of what that means in real life. Thanks for sharing this. I will have to look at Jeff Goins’ book.
It is always about love, isn’t it Cheryl? We look for things that are neatly packaged like they are on a store shelf for us, but God has so much more in store for us.
It’s so funny that I came across your post today because this is very much were I am right now. I even get super annoyed at interruptions like getting hungry or having to go to the bathroom (haha a little ridiculous). But to trust that God gives us these “interruptions” is actually part of the calling, that’s a game changer!
I can totally relate. Except with eating. I have far too much affinity for food! 😉 Learning to embrace all that God puts before me (even when it seems like an interruption) helps me see more of what He has for me!
Oooh. Good stuff!
Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but . . .
I know it’s true that process is where the REAL work gets done. So many times, like you, I have lamented the “interruptions” to my “work,” only to realize that the real work is going on in the unexpected.
Yes! It sure is. And I don’t always like it either. I’m definitely a fan of the destination, but the only destination God really focuses on is our eternal destination. Everything else is part of the journey — interruptions and all.
I was just talking with my husband about this over the weekend! Life, my “regular” job and the everyday responsibilities always seem to get in the way of my ministry, but your post is giving me pause for thought. It is God’s plan. Doing life IS part of my ministry. How else can I support women if I’m not having the same struggles? Thank you for this!
YES! You are exactly right Susan. It all works together. And God uses every single piece!
I love when books do that! Just read a few myself that had the same effect. Love the breakthrough!
Isn’t it great?! What books did that for you?
love this so much. always glad to read your words. I now want to buy that book but am afraid of yet another book I will not finish bec I’m so busy doing my calling! (: yes, our details in life, the divine interruptions give great joy when I view them as from God’s hand. On the other hand, will I ever finish another book? He knows. and most days, that’s enough.
LOL I can relate to this! Books are easy to be inspired by, but reading them is another story because they take TIME! I’m the same way with webinars and courses. It’s great to see you walking out your calling! God will show you when there is time and space for a good book!
Thank you for sharing information about this book, Rebecca. It sounds like a good one! I can identify with the head-slapping moment when you realize “I’m missing the journey!” Great reminder to enjoy the ride! 🙂
It’s one of my favorite for both work and inspiration!
I can so relate! I was just having a chat with God about this on this very afternoon! I have Jeff’s book (all of them, actually) and it’s fantastic (they all are). I think I need a second read. Right there with you, friend. Thanks for this reminder. By the way, I purchased several of YOUR books to give as Christmas gifts for friends in my women’s group. What a blessing you are.
His books are great! I think I may need another read through too!
And thank you for your kind words, Doris. I hope your friends enjoyed the books!
That sounds like a good book, I’ll have to check it out! I’ve had plenty of those moments as well. The Lord is quick to remind me that the kids will be gone before I know it and I’ll have plenty of uninterrupted time to write then. 🙂
Isn’t that the truth?! I’m trying to figure out how to balance kids with the other things He wants me to do (like write). I’m learning as I go for sure!
This is so true! I am someone who always wants to be at the destination, instead of realizing that the process is PART of the destination. Oh, those interruptions seem to take me off course–until I realize that they have helped me arrive where I wanted to go all along! Thanks for sharing this–sounds like a great book!
They do help us arrive! You are absolutely right! I love the way you described that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; I’m so glad you’re here Christin!
I will hold a special place in my heart for Art of Work, and your word-home.
Thank you for sharing friend. I can’t get over the simplistic beauty of the new interface!
I’m so glad we connected! You are truly an unexpected gift in this writing journey!
We do get so caught up in our destination that we miss the joy of the journey. Even when you’re focusing on bedtime and your precious children are doing everything possible to make sure that doesn’t happen any time soon!
YESSSSS!!!!
This is one of the most creatively constructed book reviews I’ve ever read! Your post reminds me of one of the most impacting quotes I’ve ever read. What Annie Keary says here completely changed my life as a mom dealing with constant “distractions”: “I think I find most help in trying to look on all the interruptions and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline, trials sent by God to help one against getting selfish over one’s work. Then one can feel that perhaps one’s true work – one’s work for God – consists in doing some trifling haphazard thing that has been thrown into one’s day. It is not a waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work of the day – the part one can best offer to God. After such a hindrance, do not rush after the planned work; trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime, and keep a quiet heart about it.”
Oh! That is so good! I love it! I need to read it (over and over!) And thank you for your kind words!
Goin’s book is such a game-changer! I love the way he wove the practical and the insightful. God blessed me with his book and 3 others in the last few months to really clarify His calling on my life (http://www.alicevwalters.com/allies-praise.html). Dear Sister in Christ, you’ll be in my prayers as you see yours through a new lens. Blessings!
Thanks Alice! You too! Headed over to read now!
This is something I struggle with often, especially as my desk is right off the dining area, where everyone can see me as they pass back and forth. I’ve often wished for an office with a door I can close. 🙂 I used to get frustrated with interruptions because I had prayed for God to guide my day, and I saw interruptions as infringing on what He wanted me to do. But, as you said so well, He allows interruptions because they are what He wants us to do. He was interrupted so many times when He walked the earth — during prayer, alone time, sleep, even while ministering. He took it in stride as God’s will for Him in the moment. I seek His grace to do the same.
Amen! I hadn’t thought about the way Jesus was interrupted (all the time) by the “kids” who needed something. But it was all part of His walk!
Thank you! Great thoughts and reminders. I’ve had the some feeling of frustration as I’ve not been able to do what I think I should because of what life requires of me at this time. It’s not always about the doing, it’s about the learning along the way.
Enjoying the journey has never been easy for me. But I am learning to accept it! Plus, I’m giving myself a bit of grace in remembering that God knows I’m a destination person and He loves me. Period. As I learn to enjoy the journey He cheers me on!
I love this Rebecca! Thank you so much for posting this. I have got to get that book!!! I love the quote, “Sometimes all the little things in life aren’t interruptions to our calling. They are the most important part.” It’s SO true. JUST BE ALL THERE I say. 🙂
Tweeted & pinned.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
You’ll love the book!
Such a good post! I definitely need to change my perspective about what I view as interruptions:) I can fully relate to the point you make about direction and destination, journey and outcome. Because of my need for completion I tend to skip or speed the process, robing myself of the preparation and the joy on the way.
Isn’t it funny how we do that. I suppose funny isn’t the right word because we are missing things on the journey when we rush. Things like joy!
This is a great post! I think I sometimes wish it was more simple too, that I knew what my calling was and focus on that, but it’s true that it is a journey, and all the little things in our lives are part of what God can use to teach us and lead us. I’m learning not to try to see too far ahead but to focus on seeking God for the next step!
Sometimes I get so busy focusing on the path I forget to focus on Jesus. But He is so filled with grace to help me come back every time!
What an interesting way to look at life. It does feel like we should be “doing our calling” rather than just following a path that keeps getting interrupted… But maybe the interruptions are a part of the journey.
It’s pretty wild to think about, isn’t it? But it’s so much like what Jesus modeled for us — the wedding, the woman at the well, the man lowered through the roof. All interruptions to His already scheduled programming. And all of them became some of the most inspiring parts of His journey!
Sometimes I want to yell for God to just speak to me in words I can hear audibly, but then I would miss out on that “process” of obedience. I really needed to hear that last part, “Sometimes all the little things in life aren’t interruptions to our calling. They are the most important part.” – Jeff Goins, The Art of Work
Oooohhhh, that is good — the process of obedience! YES!
Rebecca, I read your words and found myself right there between your lines. Searching for my calling, my purpose, yet knowing that it’s there in the things that seem like interruptions from the grand things I want to do. Just wow.
I have the Art to Work audiobook, maybe I need to finish listening to it (and check it off my list). 🙂
Rebecca, I read your words and found myself right there between your lines. Searching for my calling, my purpose, yet knowing that it’s there in the things that seem like interruptions from the grand things I want to do. Just wow.
I have the Art of Work audiobook, maybe I need to finish listening to it (and check it off my list). 🙂
Yes! It’s so worth it!
I loved your post, and Jeff’s book sounds good. Years ago, I read a good book about God’s will that changed my life. I began to realize God’s will is meant to be lived out in our every day. We get so hung up on the BIG will we miss it in our moments.
Of course, even though I know it, I don’t always live it.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Blessings,
Maree
Well, what’s the book?! 😉 I think you’d really love Goin’s book!
Sounds like a book I need to read! Thanks for linking up at the #GatheringofFriendsLinkParty 3
It really is great!
I’ve heard of Jeff’s book, but haven’t picked it up yet. It sounds amazing. Even more so now that I’ve read your review. Oh, and I love the conclusion you came to.
Thanks friend! It is a great book!
This is great. I always knew that my family was my calling. But now that the kids are grown and moved out, what do I do now? I pour my ideas into my blog with the hopes that I can reach some stranger. I might just have to check out Jeff’s book.
I really enjoyed it! His work helped me start on my journey. There are so many great resources. Let me know if you’re looking for help with anything specific!