Vocational Alignment, finding our joy

You know the work you do matters. That small, daily wins add up. Or do they?

If you're heading in a particular direction, with a clear aim, working towards the same goals day after day, then yes, everything you do (and don't do, in order to better do what you do do), adds up. Your actions compound, gather weight. Your daily efforts have meaning: if you are heading in a set direction. If not, not. If you're not sure where you're going or why, then how can your daily works add up to something bigger? If this is the case, if you're spinning your wheels rather than working in such a way that the rubber is meeting the road, then your small efforts are more likely NOT TO ADD UP to much. They will remain small. Potentially shallow. And certainly scattered. They will not rise up, compound and grow strong and mighty; you will have so many field stones rather than the mountain you assumed you were making, or at least climbing.

So, let me ask you, "Does your daily work seem to be adding up to something larger, taking its place in the big picture?" Put another way, "Does the work you do hold meaning, for you? Does it bring you satisfaction? Do you know you're making a difference?"

This is what we mean by VOCATIONAL ALIGNMENT. It means you've taken the time to figure out who you are and how you function. What kind of gift you carry to offer the world. The way your Maker has made you to know joy and serve well. And it means taking stock of all of that in light of the vocational pursuits that seem to call your name. And hopefully arranging your schedule to reflect that sweet goal. And THEN! Things start to feel like they're adding up; that you're really getting where you want to go; that you have momentum and that life and work matter.

Vocational Alignment is one of the spiritual disciplines I talk about in my new book, "Seven Spiritual Disciplines, strength for the journey." I hope you have a chance to read it, if this is where you are now. Because it's a wonderful thing to align the work of your hands with the beat of your heart.

There are five spiritual gifts that might best describe the beat of your heart, when it comes to way you are made to serve others, in a way that brings you deep joy.

You may have the gift of the teacher, who excels at informing and educating; or the gift of the pastor who loves to connect with people through story and empathetic service. Or you may be a world changing evangelist who is keen to right the scales of justice, or an apostle born to lead, coach and mentor others. Or you may have the creative gift of a prophet who seeks to shine the light into those shadowy corners we would otherwise let rob us of our best life.

All five of these gifts show up in all kinds of jobs. We carry our gift with us, so it shows up in what we do, and how we do it and why we do it. So, knowing our gift and recognizing our vocational preferences and aptitudes in this way; seeing our work through this deeply affirming, spiritually-informed lens, really does free us up to focus on what brings us joy and has the greatest impact on those around us.

So many ways we are made. So much work to do! And so little time on the clock somedays. Vocational Alignment is a great way to make the most of it all. To stop and reflect on who we are and how we function; to align our daily efforts with the essence of what we hope to accomplish in the world, this side of heaven. Vocational Alignment is a spiritual discipline inasmuch as we seek to glorify God with our lives and commitments.

It's no small thing: life, work, and soulful satisfaction.

Of course, this may not be on your radar. This may sound like something for another time and place, and that's ok! But if this is your time to pursue your potential: to align the work of your hands with the beat of your God-given heart, then please check out my new book, "Seven Spiritual Disciplines, strength for the journey," and let me know how it goes!

With blessings on your day!