Hospitals, Rough Drafts, and God’s Calling
Back in the early days of the year-which-shall-not-be-named, my husband and I found ourselves, like many parents across the country, suddenly faced with the task of homeschooling our two kids.
It was not a pleasant experience.
(P.S. This is not a knock against homeschooling parents. Y’all are my heroes. It was just not a good fit for my family’s needs.)
Because both my husband and I were now working from home and sharing an office, we found it easiest to divide up the subjects. This allowed me to work in the morning while my husband taught math, science, and social studies, then my husband to work in the afternoon while I taught writing, grammar, and Bible. At the time, my son was in the second grade and just learning the basics of composition–beginning, middle, end. He was learning how to make the story flow from introduction to conflict to conclusion, as well as the process behind the story, including rough draft, editing, and final draft.
Just up this momma’s alley.
He did okay on the first draft. But, when we sat down to begin the editing process, he balked.
“I’ve already written the story! Why do I have to read and write it again?”
“To make the story even better. Trust me–this is what I do for a living.”
My son stared at me for a few moments in horror. “Ugh! WHY?!”
I think it’s safe to say we do not have another budding author in my family.
Although it’s fun to look back on this memory now, it brings to mind something that’s been on my heart a lot lately:
God’s plan for your life is not going to look like His plan for my life.
When God created you (and when He created me), He created you with your own unique sets of gifts, talents, abilities, passions, and strengths. These special characteristics are huge part of what makes you you. Not only that, he took all of those gifts, talents, abilities, passions, and strengths, and wove them into a unique plan for your life–a plan to do good works for His kingdom.
I’ll use myself as an example. I’m a word nerd (obviously). I have always been drawn to books and stories and, from a very young age, I always knew I wanted to do something that involved writing for my career. I had no idea God would use me as He has, opening the door to a career as a Christian fiction writer but, looking back, I can see how all my past experiences (as well as who I am innately as a person) were leading me toward this path.
On the other hand, I have always hated the sight of blood. Just going into a hospital often makes me feel queasy and light-headed. I squirm even talking about anything medical-related so I’m going to make this paragraph short and sweet: I don’t do bodily functions. It’s just not who I am.
So the same visceral reaction my son had upon learning about my job is what I have to people who work in the medical field. Their job sounds like my worst nightmare. And while I would never put my profession on par with theirs, I believe doctors, nurses, EMT’s, and other medical professionals–just like me–are in their careers because of a unique “calling” on their lives. A plan, if you will, from God.
My point is that, while every single person out there possesses a distinct plan, every single one of those plans is going to look different because God made each one of us as an individual. If God’s plan for my life had been for me to be a nurse, I’m pretty sure He wouldn’t have created in me such an aversion to blood. Likewise, if His plan for my son was for him to be an author, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have nearly gagged during a simple line edit. (Granted, he’s still young so this momma has her fingers crossed that will change!)
Does that make one type of person or career better than another? Of course not. If you are walking in obedience, you are doing kingdom work. Period. I don’t care if you’re a lawyer, a store clerk, a delivery man/woman, or even a stay-at-home mom/dad. The work matters less than the one for Whom you’re doing it. The problem arises when we start to compare our work to others.
I am not immune to this struggle.
But, when I’m feeling this way, one of my favorite verses to turn to is found in the last chapter of John. After Jesus had arisen, He was teaching His disciples about what He had in store for them. He had just had a heart-to-heart with Peter, reinstating him after his betrayal and reminding Peter that his calling was to “take care of my sheep.” (verse 16). A little while later:
“Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them…When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.‘” (verse 20-22, emphasis mine).
Peter had just heard directly from Jesus’s lips what he was to do with his life, and yet he immediately wanted to know what John was supposed to be doing. I’m projecting my own insecurities here, but I can’t help but think perhaps Peter was worried Jesus was going to have John do something better. Although he had just been forgiven and restored, I wonder if some guilt still niggled at his conscience, making him wonder if Jesus would hold back the biggest, most important work for another disciple. One who hadn’t abandoned Him at the cross.
With a gentle firmness that could only come from the Savior Himself, Jesus reminded Peter that John’s calling was not his concern; his only concern was to follow Him.
And it’s ours, too.
Remember, God created each one of us as individuals, uniquely equipped for the special calling He has on each of our lives. It doesn’t matter what He’s called my friend to do. It doesn’t matter what He’s called my spouse, my sibling, or my neighbor to do. There’s no guarantee that I’d be able to do what any of them were doing any way because I’m not them. I am me; I am fully and distinctly suited for the calling God has placed on my life. And no matter what that calling looks like, what matters the most following Jesus, wherever that path may lead.
I just really hope it doesn’t involve any blood.
