Sterling Terrell

The problem with a calling is that a calling – is just that.

Something done on a higher plain.

See, a calling can take precedent over things that you may care about more.

What do I mean?

You might rather be a security guard at a large corporate office (with AC and benefits) – but you might be called to protect an orphanage in Iraq.

You may prefer to watch TV or play with your children on Wednesday nights – but you might be called to teach a class at church.

And you might rather sit at home and read – but you might be called to a job you would rather avoid.

Don’t get me wrong. You have to follow your calling.

It’s the only way to find yourself (and find God too).

But there are plenty of other things we would rather be doing, aren’t there?

Understand: This is about sacrifice.

Neurosurgery is really hard work, and no one would have faulted me for not going back. (People often ask if it is a calling, and my answer is always yes. You can’t see it as a job, because if it’s a job, it’s one of the worst jobs there is.) A couple of my professors actively discouraged the idea: “Shouldn’t you be spending time with your family?” (“ Shouldn’t you?” I wondered. I was making the decision to do this work because this work, to me, was a sacred thing.)

-Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air (Amazon)