My husband and I hung a framed document of our family’s priorities on our wall when we moved to Southeast Asia. We created it during a period of counseling and rest in our home country.

I suppose this document could be termed the description of a calling. I think it reads much differently now than it would have when we were younger. 

When we were younger, before our first years serving as global workers, the document probably would have been a list of ideals and status quo expectations of Christian workers. Mostly likely, we would have felt this was how we should describe ourselves and would have tried to force ourselves into molds of attaining such standards. We had many good ideas and the best laid plans for doing ministry—because surely the word calling meant being in South Asia forever. Surely calling meant doing typical things expected of global workers. Surely if we implemented the latest Christian ideas, programs, and training from the western world, God would bless the efforts. This would all demonstrate our calling to Christian work was genuine and successful. We had good intentions and honest motivations, but much to learn about God’s work in people and life outside our small corner of the world. We had much to learn about grace, love, and mercy. 

Thankfully, all these years later, we are living in a new country with framed priorities on our wall describing our true calling: the calling of being in Christ. We value the calling of who we want to be as Christ followers, spouses, parents, and people living in a community. It is a short document without sentiments of should’ve, could’ve, would’ve and ought-to.

Our lives will continue progressing through new seasons. Our location, family needs, and work details will inevitably change; our calling will not. Christ will always be calling us to Himself; to live before Him with genuine hearts and love others as He loves us. Our family wants to make decisions based on what supports the priorities we have created together to reflect this calling.