It was on my mission that I decided that BYU was definitely the place I wanted to go. On the mission every study session is started with a prayer and we gained a testimony of what it means to have the help of the Spirit in learning. We also listened to spiritual talks, and some of the best of these were produced from devotionals at BYU. I thought, any university where we can be addressed by prophets of the Lord and where we can expect to invite the Holy Spirit is the university I want to be at. These intentions have been rewarded and I have benefited from these devotionals. One land-mark devotional was given on the first of June, and not by an apostle but from an inspired, faithful faculty member.
On that day Professor Jeffery Thompson gave a talk entitled What is Your Calling in Life? Though it was aimed pointedly at the students, I can see that the wise council is applicable to many others. He begins by explaining that he is satisfied and happy with his job, and that he feels he is living up to his potential in the service of God and men. He has found his calling in life. But the journey to that discovery was not straight forward, and can be fraught with perilous heresies. Before recounting these heresies he explained that some people do not suppose the notion of calling in life applies to secular work; he provides compelling scriptural evidence to the contrary.
In summary the heresies that undermine what I would call the Abundant Life fall into four ideas:
1: “You might have a calling if you are lucky, or you might not.” He explains that your calling is determined by your spiritual gifts, and these gifts are not always immediately seen for their value in the job market, though they will be if you put their stamp on anything you do. You will always have callings to be found.
2: “You have to find your one true calling in order to be fulfilled.” We each have many from the infinite array of gifts, and the purpose of these is to bless our fellow men. In the process of applying these gifts our motives are critical.
3: “When you find your calling work will be bliss.” He considers the zookeepers, who are passionate about their work but that as much of their calling is related to the blisters as to the bliss; it is the sacrifices and hardships that contribute to make the calling fulfilling.
4: “Meaningfulness in life is to be found in work.” This is insidious because of its near-truth and has been embraced as a foundational doctrine of the world. This is dangerous because work does give a sense of meaning; but to focus on that misses the point of service to our fellows and contributing to the world. True meaning, as always, comes from service. We are of service to God and our fellows whether we are doing the laundry or making shoes. Lee Hardy, a disciple of Martin Luther, said, “While we pray each morning for our daily bread, people are already busy at work in the bakeries.” True meaning, as always, comes from service.
Needless to say, the full talk is a heartily recommended read, for anyone who is interested in their calling in life. You can find it here:
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-a-thompson_what-is-your-calling-in-life/