Vocation

From Cutting For Stone, 2009*
by Abraham Verghese


"WE COME UNBIDDEN into this life, and if we are lucky we find a purpose beyond starvation, misery, and early death which, lest we forget, is the common lot."
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One of the best parts of my job is working with a group of eight Maryville College students known as the Isaac Anderson Fellows.  The IAs, as we lovingly call them, are tasked with thinking seriously about vocation.  Vocation is such an overfilled idea, and it is their job to unpack it.  Each of these students completes a summer internship to explore how their own vocation relates to their faith.  It has been so fun to watch them travel all over doing meaningful work.  


Noah went to China; Katie went to Scotland;  Alli went to Ghana;  Michae went to Peru; Amy went to Italy; Hannah went everywhere;  I went to work.  (Kidding aside, I was so envious of their adventures, but I was also grateful that I spent a few weeks in college exploring Ireland with my pal Marie and London with the always fun Amanda.)  Other students took less glamorous positions, but had very meaningful experiences.  Jordan went to Louisville, Sarah went to Birmingham, Jacob went to Chattanooga.  They all returned with stories - of how they glimpsed a bit of what they want to do, and learned gobs of what they wanted to avoid.**


I am sure that all of the IA students would say that these trips are their favorite part of the program.  Well I don't go on those trips.  So my favorite part is our reading discussion group.  Every month, the eight students, myself, and the fabulous Rev. Dr. Anne McKee, meet for lunch at a place called the House in the Woods.  (I know- it sounds like a children's fantasy book.  It's not.)  We sit together around a table, and in order.  The students created this musical chairs journey all on their own.  Each year, the class moves over two seats, allowing our new members a place at the table,  and forcing the previous Juniors to fill the chairs of the graduates who have just left.  One year, they even entered the room 2x2, just like the Noah's animals.  


Anyway, we've read great books.  Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation.  Leading Lives That Matter: What We Should Do and Who We Should Be.  Awakened to A Calling.  And this year, On Our Way: Christian Practices for Living a Whole Life.  


Last month, we read a chapter from On Our Way.  This collection of essays edited by Dorothy Bass and Susan Briehl invites a different author to take on a Christian Practice.  We were discussing the chapter on "Making a Good Living."  As you can probably surmise from the title, the chapter highlighted the tension that exists between making enough money and doing what fulfills us.  In other words, which "good" matters more?  What was great was that Frank Schaeffer  was with us for our discussion.  He was so caring and interested in these eight students lives.  Frank was impressive.  But our students were more impressive (I know I am biased).  


One student spoke up as we were discussing the weight of vocational exploration, "It really is a privileged question."  And of course, he is correct.  How blessed are we that we get to choose a vocation.  What a serious responsibility we have to the discernment process.


Thanks to all of the IAs for teaching me so much - I am so blessed that it is my vocation to spend time with you all. 


*So if you haven't read this book, do. Seriously.


**This is just one of the many scholarship programs that Maryville College has to offer.  I know it looks expensive, but you seriously could attend Maryville, go to Spain, have smaller classes taught by doctors, and pay the same as your buddy at UT.  I promise.  Just call the admissions office.