Last week the famed French anthropologist, Claude Lévi-Strauss, died at age 100. His very long obituary in The New York Times referred to his “imposing legacy” of literature and thought on world cultures.
Do you ever wonder what your obituary will say? Maybe a better question is: Do you ever think about what your legacy will be?
Two weeks ago, I spoke to a group of Christian university students at Harvard. Imagine the legacy possibilities in a gathering like that—future lawyers, doctors, CEOs, media moguls. And I was once just like them, as a student at Cornell, looking forward to a bright future of making lots of money.
In graduate school, I became a Christian, and I’d like to say that everything changed for me then. The seed was planted, but I continued my climb to corporate success, and only later did I realize the difference between career and calling.
God gave me the opportunity to plant a seed in the Harvard students, to remind them that for followers of Christ, there’s a greater end goal than a corner office. We are called to love Christ and love our neighbor.
As Ryan’s comment on last week’s blog noted, Christians and atheists both can be compassionate givers. But our call to love our neighbor is rooted in—and is a reflection of—serving Christ. We are called to be carriers of the gospel, bringing good news to a world that needs it, now more than ever. God has chosen me, those students, and you, to leave a legacy of compassion—an honor and a grave responsibility.
How are you living out your legacy? Are you pursuing a career or a calling—or both?
Its been very few weeks I started thinking about this, is preparing for a good career important for me while I’m going through real hard times in my life or I should give all my time for God’s call. A year back my perspective towards career was, earn good status and money and have a luxury life. Suddenly Jesus have come in my life, He was always there with me but I never acknowledged Him. I started seeing the happiness with in me when I came to know His love for me. Now I feel I definitely will work hard for a good career in my life but not to get a luxury life or to get a high status but to earn good money so I can start helping the poor kids. And I’m sure Jesus will show me the way once I put my plans in front of Him and pray.
As a scientist trained in water treatment, I truly believed that my calling was the development of technology to deliver safe drinking water for > 1 billion people in developing countries that don’t have access to said water. It is my belief that fulfilling that basic need to sustain life, especially in small children, provides a tremendous opportunity for witnessing for Jesus. I’ve been examining/testing various technologies since 1988, but have not had sufficient resources to demonstrate to WHO, and other agencies of interest, a technology I believe is the best suited to deliver safe drinking water without exposing people to serious side effects such as tri-halomethanes. Without those resources, I’ve had to ‘retire’, so I’m very frustrated that my ‘calling’ has been short-circuited. What do I do now?
I have been pursuing the calling you speak of since the 60′s now…planting seeds I don’t often get to see flower. It’s been very demanding work–no one knows that better than you do–but it drives me still. Love you Bro, Karen
This is exactly what’s on my heart…I am writing a book with this theme- I’d love to contact you for an interview, perhaps!
God is so good!
Staying the Course,
Chantel Hobbs
Both. I’m pursuing a career and a calling. I believe I’m being led to help World Vision as Executive Officer to the President.
I have been trying for the longest time to utilize my profession (an Accountant) to help pursue my calling. I have been trying to promote financial counseling based on Christian principles, youth ministry work, and tax work for the less-fortunate. The Lord seems to be keeping the doors closed. I am spreading the good news and trying to be an example when I meet with clients. Maybe this is all I should be doing now. My heart is just filled with such passion, I feel like I am not doing enough. Any thoughts or tips??