A career of being

Have you ever wanted your career to be. . .well, being? Gaining knowledge, challenging yourself, growing and stretching and creating, and structuring yourself into "all that you can be?" (Sorry, Marine Corps).

I know that purists out there would hop down my throat at this point, trying to delineate between "vocation" and "career," but I am talking an actual career here-- a "wake up in the morning, immerse myself in Scripture, drink coffee and study logic and read philosophy and meet with a friend to encourage her and write poetry and volunteer at a homeless shelter, then tuck yourself into bed for a full eight hours. . .rinse, lather, and repeat" kind of career. An all-expenses paid personal growth plan.

Today we had a chapel speaker talk about leadership. Leadership is great, and all, but I found myself wondering, "is there room for followers in the kingdom of heaven?" I am not, and have never been, a person of great influence. For the first 21 years of my life, I would all but roll over and play dead when asked to have an opinion or make a decision on something. Now, I am happy to do my own thing, but I have no interest in inciting others to come along with me. (We can address self-protective strategies later). All this to say in most instances I am a token follower, and I am proud of it.

I don't think I was made for the front lines. When I think of my role of the Body, I think of. . .I don't know, exactly. The image of a rock comes to mind. I'm not sure what the corresponding body part is.I think of being someone who helps speak truth to and bind the wounds of those who have been beaten and bruised and bloodied on the front lines. A support structure for those leaders whose plans have fallen apart, and a reality check/admonishment to those leaders whose successes (and heads) have grown exponentially. I am not the hand, or the feet, or the head, that rushes into action, or the voice that calls for others to join. Maybe I'm the butt, or something--when you're there, you're resting and relaxed.

I want to have a career of being so that I can have a foundation from which to encourage others, to know well the truth on which I stand, and to model a balanced, well-lived, joyful life to others. (Also because it would be the bombdiggity).