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Day 39 – Vocation
These next four years will likely provide many opportunities for you to develop a more grounded sense of your identity, and ultimately, a more grounded sense of your vocation. Even in the last month since you started at Belmont, your identity has probably changed in some ways—as you have moved out of your parents' house, started college classes and met lots of new people, among many other things.
As you continue transitioning into this new season, it can be tempting to define yourself—and to define the people around you—too quickly, as this process of defining is a natural way to make yourself feel more at home and comfortable when you are out of place. I encourage you to refrain from defining your sense of identity and vocation too quickly.
When you introduce yourself to new people, it is probably your natural tendency to ask people where they come from and what their major is. But I encourage you to think about how to ask more creative questions which inquire about the essence of who those people are. What past experiences are most meaningful to them and have shaped who they are today? Why did they choose to come to Belmont?
Resist the temptation to define yourself—and the people around you—just by your major or what you are studying. While areas of study can provide excellent points of connection between people (and can highlight the ways you feel called to serve and work), don’t limit yourself or other people to their field of study.
Instead, I challenge you to define yourself by who you are in the broadest sense: a beloved child of God. Paul writes in 1 Timothy with an encouragement to set an example “in speech, in conduct, in life, in love and in purity.” These areas he lists are all more focused on one’s character and who they are than on what they specifically do—or what they are studying.
My hope for you today is that you might experience freedom and encouragement through the reminder that developing your character and sense of identity—and learning to understand the character and identity of those around you—is more important than developing a sense of identity and vocation that is defined only by what you do.
KIRSTEN RIEDEL
Residence Director, Heron Hall
These next four years will likely provide many opportunities for you to develop a more grounded sense of your identity, and ultimately, a more grounded sense of your vocation. Even in the last month since you started at Belmont, your identity has probably changed in some ways—as you have moved out of your parents' house, started college classes and met lots of new people, among many other things.
As you continue transitioning into this new season, it can be tempting to define yourself—and to define the people around you—too quickly, as this process of defining is a natural way to make yourself feel more at home and comfortable when you are out of place. I encourage you to refrain from defining your sense of identity and vocation too quickly.
When you introduce yourself to new people, it is probably your natural tendency to ask people where they come from and what their major is. But I encourage you to think about how to ask more creative questions which inquire about the essence of who those people are. What past experiences are most meaningful to them and have shaped who they are today? Why did they choose to come to Belmont?
Resist the temptation to define yourself—and the people around you—just by your major or what you are studying. While areas of study can provide excellent points of connection between people (and can highlight the ways you feel called to serve and work), don’t limit yourself or other people to their field of study.
Instead, I challenge you to define yourself by who you are in the broadest sense: a beloved child of God. Paul writes in 1 Timothy with an encouragement to set an example “in speech, in conduct, in life, in love and in purity.” These areas he lists are all more focused on one’s character and who they are than on what they specifically do—or what they are studying.
My hope for you today is that you might experience freedom and encouragement through the reminder that developing your character and sense of identity—and learning to understand the character and identity of those around you—is more important than developing a sense of identity and vocation that is defined only by what you do.
KIRSTEN RIEDEL
Residence Director, Heron Hall
About this Plan
This 40-day prayer plan was written by students, faculty and staff at Belmont University as a daily devotional for incoming freshmen. Each day guides and encourages new college students in their faith in Jesus Christ through the word of God and the sincere thoughts, seasoned advice and honest prayers of the contributing authors. May these words help you grow in your love for God and your love for others!
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