The World Needs You

Frederick Buechner said, “Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” Recently ICC hosted a workshop in our Voices of Activism series called “Raising and Sustaining our Voices.” It was led by Joe Pullman and participants had the opportunity to consider how they feel – from grief to anger to overwhelmed and beyond at the current national situation. We moved from there to thinking about what matters to us, what’s the issue that we feel we need to do something about? And what’s the gift we bring to it?

It was more than could actually be processed in a couple hours, but they’re good questions to contemplate on these darks days of rest and preparation. Don’t just think it though – get out of your head and into your body.

Maybe make a ritual of honoring all your feelings. I was never into religious rituals as a young person, until I realized as an older person that rituals shouldn’t be prescribed, but are meant to be unique to myself. I have to meet myself where I am and create the ritual that works for me. So, to feel my grief, my anger, my overwhelm in these moments, I get to decide what I need – whether to light a candle and sit silent in the dark, to go for a walk on a snowy day, to share my burden with my dog and let him run away with it. What are you feeling right now about the world and what ritual would help you name that and allow yourself to feel it? Maybe coming to the Candle Light Vigil at Courthouse Park next Wednesday is the thing to do.

I’m also a big time journaler and when it comes to all the things happening in the world that I care about, writing it down helps. Otherwise, there are so many thoughts, I’m just spinning my wheels and digging myself into a hole of despair. So, try journaling, not a one-time marathon, but a few lines for a few days to find what thing is holding your attention, what concern is hitting on the core of your being and your values.

And then there is what is our passion, joy, and talent to give to the world? Mostly, I feel like I don’t have one. Mostly, I feel like the one I have is useless. I’m not a lawyer, a student of non-violence, a person who can talk to anyone. And what good is baking or loving dogs or writing funny stories. Still, as I move in the world, I begin to see where my heart sings and where is doesn’t. It just takes living and paying attention. And then maybe a little journaling, too.

So, create a ritual for yourself, paint or write or sing your values, your cares, your talents and then be brave and try out your vocation to help meet the world’s needs. Because everyone one of us are needed right now.