Some are called to bruise the proud.
Some are called to serve in silence.
Some are called to speak aloud.
Some are called to build a nation.
Some are called to change a life.
Some are called to inspiration
To teach me as they conquer strife.
Some are called to bless my children.
Some are called to heal my grief.
Some are called to make me humble.
Some are called to give relief.
Every man and child and woman
Comes from God with but one goal.
Learn my calling, fill my purpose
And, in the process, save my soul.
In a recent conversation, someone mentioned that Elder Maxwell, while he was an apostle, resigned from the Utah Board of Education because he "needed more time for his personal calling." He explained that his calling/ministry wasn't that of being an apostle. It was helping fellow cancer patients.
I've heard about personal callings before, but the concept has always been somewhat nebulous. The scriptures are clear that some people were given specific tasks before life - Adam and Eve to begin the human family, Christ to accomplish the Atonement, Joseph Smith to restore the Church, Moses to save the children of Israel. But I'm not a leader of the Church... and I don't think I ever will be. In my case - where I probably wasn't given an historic task to accomplish - do I have a personal calling? And if so, what does that even mean for me today?
I looked for a reference so that I could better understand what Elder Maxwell meant, and found a speech given by Bonnie Parkin - at the time the general president of the Relief Society - at BYU in 2007. The link is here. Her talk is powerful enough that it made me ponder deeply on my own life... and I think it has already become one of the talks that I will refer back to for years to come. In the talk, she addresses a number of issues, among them a powerful quote: "never suppress a generous thought" that rings deeply true in my heart. But the one that made me think most was the topic of a personal ministry - a personal calling in life.
Sister Parkin spoke about the impact that each of us can have on the lives and souls of others. She shared story after story of men and women who were inspired and lifted, healed and blessed by the personal ministry of others. Missionaries who stayed in the field because of the personal ministry of a prophet. Widowed young fathers who stayed in school because of the ministry of close friends. People whose lives were changed forever, through the ministry of those close to them.
I've always felt like I was here for a purpose. That my life, my trials, my blessings, and everything about me was designed so that I could do something that only I could accomplish. That each piece of life was grooming me to become the man that God sees in me and to give me the faith and talents to do His will. But sometimes I find myself asking... exactly what is it that the Lord is grooming me to accomplish?
Sister Parkin quoted President Kimball and something he said on the subject.
Remember, in the world before we came here, faithful women were given certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood tasks. While we do not now remember the particulars, this does not alter the glorious reality of what we once agreed to. You are accountable for those things which long ago were expected of you just as are those we sustain as prophets and apostles!
To that she added some of her own thoughts:
How can we know what was entrusted to us at that time? As we accept callings and love and obey the Lord, our personal ministry unfolds. It is a sacred and precious thing. It embraces the people who come and go across the path of our life. It extends beyond our temporary callings as presidents, counselors, secretaries, teachers, and so on. It is illuminated by our patriarchal blessings. And while each of our ministries is unique, they allow us to become extensions of the Lord’s love.
The Church teaches that having a purpose is a vital part of life - I received callings from the Lord before I arrived here on Earth. But years of reading my Patriarchal blessing, serving in callings, and trying to figure it out has given me only a glimpse of what my purpose exactly is. I know pieces and parts - it has to do with healing others, sharing the gospel, and helping people come unto Christ. It focuses on (when it happens) being a loving husband and a faithful father. But I know there is more to understand and apply. And I feel that finding it, following it, and making it a central part of my life feels like a step that will make me a better person... happier, closer to God, and more able to make a difference.
So who am I? What is my call?
What goals should guide my prayers at night?
What actions should I take each day
To do my part to share His light?
Every man and child and woman
Comes from God with but one goal.
Learn my calling, fill my purpose
And, in the process, save my soul.
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