Ikigai: An Outcome, Not a Goal.

I am not an expert on Ikigai, nor do I have any significant knowledge of its nuances. But I am intrigued by the concept of Ikigai, which is the Japanese idea of finding joy and purpose in life through the intersection of passion, vocation, mission, and profession. Any one of these areas, by itself, is noble and worth pursuing. In fact, many people would consider it a win to achieve or discover any one of them in their career or life, let alone the convergence of all four. As a person of faith, I wonder how Ikigai relates to the biblical notion of “calling” found in biblical texts. For example, Paul implored the Christians in Ephesus to live life in a manner worthy of their calling. The concept of calling is about being faithful to a cause and only in the faithful journey is victory in life achieved. We do not start from the place of victory, but we become victorious as we go. In fact, it was Peter, who also said, because of God’s divine power that has been made available to us we have been granted complete ability to live a full and meaningful life, both physically and spiritually (2 Peter 1:3). In other words, we are without excuse. Every provision, both naturally and spiritually, has been made for us. Our duty is to faithfully use what we find along the way; not to demand resources for a journey we haven’t even begun yet and don’t know where it leads.

I find it important to realize that both calling and ikigai are uncovered as you go, or as you live life. To try and find ikigai before you embark on living life seems ridiculous. Likewise, trying to identify your calling before venturing into life’s great adventure is putting the proverbial cart before the horse. I must believe that ikigai is something you find as you go, just like calling is something that emerges as you give of yourself to others.

Ancient stories provide profound insights into this concept. Take, for instance, the story of Joseph and coat of many colors, who, despite facing adversity, found purpose in serving others, despite multiple betrayals, and ultimately reaped the rewards of his faithfulness. His journey emphasizes that the pursuit of Ikigai distracts us from the exact experiences we need that produce ikigai. Discovering professional joy, ikigai, or calling involves embracing challenges, serving others, and allowing, by the act of submitting, our context to mold and refine our understanding of who we are.

I am convinced that the context in which we deploy our abilities contributes to the fulfillment of a joyful purpose. As we engage in work and service, Ikigai becomes a reward woven into the fabric of our daily lives. It's not a static destination to seek, but a dynamic emerging mindset that reflects the richness of our interactions with the world.

Embracing Ikigai involves a deep understanding that the context of our actions influences the meaning and rewards we derive from our journey. By intertwining this concept with timeless biblical narratives, we find a harmonious balance between purposeful living, selfless service, and the intrinsic rewards that come from aligning with our true calling. Ikigai is not a goal to be pursued, but it can be a natural outcome of a life that someone lives who has given themselves to others and does with excellence whatever their hands find to do, all while letting God live His life through them.

Matthew Kutz, Ph.D. ...just a guy wondering about stuff... www.matthewkutz.com