Belmont University - Freshmen First Forty DaysSample

Day 9 – Vocation

Frederick Buechner wrote, “Vocation is where our greatest passion meets the world’s greatest need.” The implication here is that true vocation has two parts: our passion and the needs of others. For us to fully embrace our own vocation, we must be attentive both to what is happening within us and what is happening around us.

You may have come to Belmont with deep passion about something. Perhaps you are passionate about music, business, writing, nursing or something else. During your time here, we do hope that you come to understand those passions more clearly. It is our prayer that you grow to have a full sense of awareness about how you were created. But in addition, we hope that during your time (particularly this first year) that you learn to stop… and look up at the community around you. We want to challenge you to see the world with the eyes of Jesus and begin to fully recognize the needs that you find there.

It is this simultaneous awareness of the work within and around you that will allow you to embrace your calling. At this beautiful intersection, the work becomes less about a job title and more about our response to what we see God doing around us. It is that moment when you become fully aware of your vocation.

So as you enter into this new and exciting season of your journey, open your heart and mind to the possibilities of your passions. Embrace them fully and deeply and in new ways. At the same time, broaden your perspectives about what God is doing in the world. Learn about new communities and the needs you find there. If you give yourself to both of these, there will undoubtedly be places where your find your passion and the world’s need collide.

Christy Ridings | Associate University Minister & Director of Spiritual Formation