Very few individual pieces of paper follow us as time passes by. But I have one small, postcard-sized piece of paper that has followed me from the week of Freshman Orientation in college to now be in a prominent location in my home. This paper reads, “Vocation: The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” This quote is from the book Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC, written by theologian Frederick Beuchner. 

You were created for a purpose. God intentionally created and designed each and every part of you. And nothing was designed by Him that does not have meaning behind it. This quote is so profound to me — that God would so lovingly and carefully build and craft us to have the opportunity to serve the “world’s deep hunger,” a longing that needs to be filled, by using our deep gladness, whatever brings us insatiable joy and fulfillment. How truly deep is the Father’s love for us! (1 John 3:1)

So what is your “deep gladness?” Take a moment to think and fill in the blank,  I would love to do _________ for the rest of my life. Oh, c’mon, sleep does not count! What is some activity, hobby, craft, etc., that brings you ultimate joy? What do you enjoy doing so much that the hours could pass by and it only feels like a few minutes? Now, is there a way that you could use it to be a blessing to others? Is there a way that you could show Christ’s love to people while doing this?

I always knew that I wanted to be a performer. I have had the opportunity to minister through drama, praise dance, and gospel mime in the church for many years, but I never thought I was good enough to make a career out of using these gifts I knew God gave me. I also loved to be around and teach children. Growing up, my friends told me that I was the “mom” of the group, always looking out for them and making sure everyone was safe and taken care of. Well, combining these two elements of who God created me to be led to a career in education. As a teacher, I was able to perform every day! I discovered that teaching Social Studies, you have to be exciting, dramatic, and a little over the top!

As a teenager growing up in church, I did spend a lot of time praying about what God’s calling was for my life. And, even though I am currently in a job doing the ministry I feel is well connected to some of the gifts that God has given me, I still pray similar prayers of, God, where do you want me? What is your will for my life? Lead me to where you want me to be. I feel that as we get older, we continue to learn more about ourselves and discover other areas in life that bring us joy. God wants us to tap into those joys, and I believe that He will truly lead us to places where our deep gladness meets the deep hunger of the world. However, He always wants us to use the incredible mind He placed in us to put “two and two” together and create opportunities for ourselves where we can use those joys to be a blessing to the world around us. 

I will leave you with one last testimony. Prayer to me is such a beautiful and powerful way of communication. Some people enjoy praying quietly, but I have always enjoyed speaking out loud to pray. During this pandemic, an opportunity became available to use my delight of praying out loud to be a blessing to others. It was not something that I sought, but by God’s will, the opportunity arose for me to be the person praying every Sunday for TLC’s online service. Over the last couple of months, as TLC has returned to in-person services, people have blessed me by sharing how those online prayers I’ve prayed ministered to them. Praise God! I am grateful that the Lord, once again, allowed me to use one of the small areas of my life that bring me joy, to encourage others. 

Write down some things that you truly enjoy doing and think of ways that God could use those pleasures in your life to bless others. Pray on it! God will show you ways that your deepest joy can meet the deep hunger of the world around you. 

Helpful Resources

Frederick Beuchner, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC, HarperOne; Revised, Expanded edition, September 24, 1993.