# data[].attributes.body
Often God calls to us, much like he called Samuel,calling out our name. And like Samuel, it should be our duty to respond with, "Here I am LORD. Send me."

Albert Schweitzer was one such person. A man with a Ph.D. Schweitzer had a good life. Yet when he looked around, he felt a call from God that there was more he needed to be doing. "It struck me as inconceivable that I should be allowed to lead such a happy life while I saw so many people around me struggling with sorrow and suffering... I must not accept this good fortune of mine as a matter of course, but must give something in return" (Schweitzer, 30). Schweitzer took it upon himself to go back to school, and to attain his M.D. to prepare him for work in the medical field saving lives, he just didn't know where to go, that is, until he read an article about the  Jungles of Congo and the plight of the mission there. One like from the article reads, "Men and women who can reply simply to the Master's call, 'Lord, I am coming.' those are the people he Church needs" (Journal des Missions Evangeliques).

"Many people view such aspirations as stereotypically romantic or hopelessly idealistic or suspiciously paternalistic, even condescending" but it is exactly people like this that we need for missions (Schweitzer, 29). The ones who will continue on God's path, not the path of man, in spite of the arguments that stand against you, God works beyond human reason. Trust fully in God, and he will lead you to greater things than you though previously possible.

# data[].attributes.headline
Will Weaver                                            The Undecided Major

# data[].attributes.subject
Will Weaver                                            The Undecided Major

# data[].attributes.body
We are often faced with the question, "To whom should I listen?" This story helps to show us an answer to that question.
Walter Hansen was a student at the University of Minnesota, and on his way home for his birthday weekend, yet Walter had not yet chosen a major, but had decided what he wanted to study without telling anyone.
In a conversation with his father (a farmer), Walter reveals his choice. (Weaver, 364)

Why do we make the life choices that we make? What pressures or influences affect those choices? Often in college, you will find a student who chooses the major that their parents want for them, the will play the sport their father tells them to play, rather than choosing to do what they enjoy.

When Walter finally discusses with his father what his plans are for his major, rather than forcing his own ideas or shutting down Walter's desires, his father only asked two questions: "Do you like it when you're doing it?" and "Can you make a living doing it?"

You should never choose a career path based on what you think others want you to do. If it is something that you truly enjoy, you should do it.

# data[].attributes.body
Roger Olson

Most of the time, allowing for exceptions, “God’s will” is simply living a vital Christian life, being shaped in the character of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, walking forward trusting God to guide without intensive focus on a mythical blueprint. (Olsen)

The absolute most relieving statement in all of senior experience, many of us when faced with large decisions are told to pray for Gods will, and that’s great. This though really puts life in a new perspective that if we are living for God and leading a God pleasing life don’t sweat it too much His plan will come to you.

# data[].attributes.body
The Sabbath
In contrast to Dorothy Sayers writing on the value of work, A.J. Heschel writes on the value of rest. Rest not just from our work, but for the work we are going to do.

"Labor is a craft, but perfect rest is an art" (Heschel, 217).

Heschel argues that we need not worry about how we are going to work, or provide for our family, but to rest, and trust in the LORD; "the world has already been created and will survive without the help of man... The world has our hands but our soul belongs to Someone Else [The LORD]" (Heschel, 217). Let us give to God our honor and our efforts, and praise him in each day, and in each moment, as he has given us this life we live, we owe some of it to him.

# data[].attributes.body
Why do we work? What motivates us to do the things that we do? Is i purely for money? For the things we can buy in exchange for our efforts? If that is the case, then are we really living our lives to achieve the most value?
Dorothy Sayers, author and poet, writes that there is more to work than just a paycheck, it is about serving God. God has given us time on this earth, and we should spend it well, spend it on work worth doing. "Work is not, primarily, a thing one does to live, but the thing one lives to do" (Sayers, 192).
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23)

# data[].attributes.body
"We are members of one body, but differentiated members, each with his own vocation. A man's upbringing, his talents, his circumstances, are usually a tolerable index for his vocation" (Lewis, 125).
In the above quote, C.S. Lewis alludes to Bible verse Romans 12:4 when he says "one body, many members." Lewis urges students to pursue education during the time of war. Many students, wanting adventures, desired to join the fight, yet Lewis understood that each person had their personal calling. Some of us are gifted toward one set of skills, while another group is needed for a different task.

# data[].attributes.body
Elizabeth Gaskell

Here Gaskell writes about talents, in particular the talents of females in a time when their main duties were to stay home. She is speaking to us all that there should be respect and gratitude for their efforts. She ends her short piece saying that is any one possesses a talent they should take the opportunity to fulfill it to the best of their ability.

# data[].attributes.body
Bill Moyers

Moyers: IS this what you meant when you wrote once that “tragedy is trying to live well”?

Nussbaum: Tragedy only happens when you are trying to live well because for a heedless person who doesn’t have deep commitments to others conflict isn’t tragedy.   (Moyers, 310)

Martha Nussbaum is a professor of philosophy, here she talks about trials in life, how we handle them and she compares it all to the ancient Greek story of Agamemnon. Through this interview we are to learn what things we care about and how tragedy can effect us in our lives.

# data[].attributes.body
Gilbert Meilaender

Meilander was critical of many peoples view that we receive fulfilment in life from our labor. He would say our fulfilment is to come from relationships. We find our joy and meaning in the value we offer and receive from those around us and we care about. In Matthew 11:29-30 it says “29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Clearly we are to work and there is a some significant value to it, just as we are to find value in relationships.

# data[].attributes.body
Dorthy Days

“She gave up, too her desire for great and noble deeds. In other words, she expected nothing of herself, she was “the little grain of sand” Trampled underfoot, forgotten and God would do it all in making her a saint. (Days, 159)

Therese was a young woman who knew from the time she was young that it was her duty to give her life for others, almost I the way Jesus had. These had no desire for worldly gain her life motive was to give of herself. She died young from a disease, through all that she found comfort in knowing she would meet God sooner.

# data[].attributes.body
HOMER

For my mother Thetis the goddess of the silver feet tells me
I carry two sorts of destiny toward the day my death. Either,
if I stay here and fight beside the city of Trojans,
my return home is gone, but my glory shall be everlasting;
but if I return home to the beloved land of my fathers,
the excellence of my glory is gone, but there will be a long life
left for me, and my end in death will not come to me quickly.

Here we see the great hero struggling with a choice in his own destiny. We all have the power to make choices that effect our own destiny, but unlike the those in homers story we can pray for Gods guidance and direction upon our lives and the choices we make.

# data[].attributes.headline
Aristotle from "Nicomachean Ethics"                                                                                                                                             "For he will choose intense pleasure for a short time over slight pleasure for a long time; a year of living finely over many years of undistinguished life; and a single fine and great action over many small actions" (Aristotle 130).

# data[].attributes.subject
Aristotle from "Nicomachean Ethics"                                                                                                                                             "For he will choose intense pleasure for a short time over slight pleasure for a long time; a year of living finely over many years of undistinguished life; and a single fine and great action over many small actions" (Aristotle 130).

# data[].attributes.body
Is a short life lived with purpose better than a long life lived safely and comfortably? That is the question that Aristotle poses. I believe that the work of Paul the Apostle can teach us the answer. In Philippians 1:21-24 Paul writes, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far." Paul clearly believes that life does not have to be long to be meaningful. He has a clear focus on speaking the Gospel of Jesus wherever he goes and does not fear death. Jesus challenges us to live uncomfortably and fearlessly follow Him.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mary Catherine Bateson "Composing a Life Story"  "The continuous story, where the whole of a person's life is prefigured very early on, is often a cultural creation, not a reflection of life as it is really lived" (Bateson 466).                     

# data[].attributes.subject
Mary Catherine Bateson "Composing a Life Story"  "The continuous story, where the whole of a person's life is prefigured very early on, is often a cultural creation, not a reflection of life as it is really lived" (Bateson 466).                     

# data[].attributes.body
Bateson wants to bust the myth that life can be lived as a straight line. She says that there are inevitable zigzags along the way. That is why it is important to not gloss over those tough times and misdirect others from your struggles as you tell your story. One thing that we to hear as college students is that your first job is not what you have to do for the rest of your life. Some people have opportunities to commit to a job and they become frozen by the false notion that they will never be able to get out of their job or career. This just is not reality. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people change jobs 12 times during a lifetime on average. Your story will have wrong turns and learning moments; just do not be afraid to tell others about them. Those trials have led to perseverance and growth. Your testimony can have a bigger impact on others than you think.

# data[].attributes.headline
H.G. Wells "The Door in the Wall"               "'You say, I have success - this vulgar, tawdry, irksome, envied thing. I have it.' He had a walnut in his big hand. 'If that was success,' he said, and crushed it, and held it out for me to see" (Wells 214).

# data[].attributes.subject
H.G. Wells "The Door in the Wall"               "'You say, I have success - this vulgar, tawdry, irksome, envied thing. I have it.' He had a walnut in his big hand. 'If that was success,' he said, and crushed it, and held it out for me to see" (Wells 214).

# data[].attributes.body
I think Wells is giving us a word of caution about sacrificing our happiness for success. In the story, Wallace has this garden that represents his creative and imaginative side, but there is always a pressing matter of the world that gets in the way. The door to the magic garden always seemed to call out to him, but he could never reach it because he knew that the world would scorn him; just like his family did when he told them about his door. As Wallace ages, he becomes full of regret as he never took the opportunity to go back to the garden. Wallace was too driven by what the world defined as success and he missed out on the childhood joys of life and imagination. What the world sees as success should not define our own personal success and happiness. In 1956 there was actually a British short film made of Well's story. You can see part one below.

# data[].attributes.headline
Annie Dillard "Living Like Weasels"              "The thing is to stalk your calling in a certain skilled and supple way, to locate the most tender and live spot and plug into that pulse. This is yielding, not fighting" (Dillard 301).

# data[].attributes.subject
Annie Dillard "Living Like Weasels"              "The thing is to stalk your calling in a certain skilled and supple way, to locate the most tender and live spot and plug into that pulse. This is yielding, not fighting" (Dillard 301).

# data[].attributes.body
Here Dillard paints a picture of how we should follow our talents. When she says "plug into that pulse," I just get that feeling of being electrified and full of energy. This is a feeling that I get when I am doing something that I love. For me, that is standing on that pitcher's mound ready to go to battle. For others, that may be writing or fixing things. Either way I believe we all have talents that give us a sense of pride and joy when we are using them. Dillard challenges us to find those passions every day and hold onto them. The weasel lives simply; following its' desires and holding onto them for dear life. Dillard challenges us to live simply as the weasel does so that we can perceive a world with completely new possibilities.

# data[].attributes.headline
Kant "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals"                                          "But he finds himself in comfortable circumstances and prefers to indulge in pleasure rather than to bother himself about broadening and improving his fortunate natural aptitudes" (Kant 320).

# data[].attributes.subject
Kant "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals"                                          "But he finds himself in comfortable circumstances and prefers to indulge in pleasure rather than to bother himself about broadening and improving his fortunate natural aptitudes" (Kant 320).

# data[].attributes.body
I was asked to write down some goals for my life when I was in high school and while I was reading this, one of those goals came rushing back to me. I remember specifically writing that I wanted to live comfortably. I think a comfortable, easy life is what many of us strive for, but Kant is saying that this may not be the way to live a fulfilled life. Comfort-ability leads to complacency. Proverbs 13:4 says, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied." Reading Kant can teach us to not become complacent in our jobs, lives, and faith. Always challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday.

# data[].attributes.headline
Vincent Harding "I Hear Them.... Calling"   "Callings are strange things. I think I have heard many voices in many times and places, but it may be that I have heard only One" (Harding 403).

# data[].attributes.subject
Vincent Harding "I Hear Them.... Calling"   "Callings are strange things. I think I have heard many voices in many times and places, but it may be that I have heard only One" (Harding 403).

# data[].attributes.body
Harding gives us some real-life examples of the callings that he felt throughout his life. One thing that I noticed is that his calling changed several times, but they were all linked together in some way. All the callings were leading him somewhere. Ephesians 4:1 says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Many people do not know what they are called to do. However, there is one thing and one purpose that we are here for. We are called to follow Jesus and be his disciples here on Earth. I believe that if you are following Jesus, you will naturally fall into your calling. That is your career, your family, where you live, and how you live life. One of my professors likes to say that when you are living the life Jesus has called you to live, you have found a "sweet spot" in life. That sweet spot may change over time, but do not fear the change. Embrace the callings that you receive because they are coming from the One voice.