Wild at heart

Boot camp this weekend and today's theme was Calling.

I'm never really sure what my calling is but there was some helpful stuff today.

The first thing that hit home is that there is a long journey to get to your calling and everything we go through builds our character and builds on previous experiences to prepare us for what is next. We watched a couple of clips from the film Invictus which focused on the graciousness and wisdom of Mandela when he assumed office. A character formed by a long journey of 30 years in prison. Only then was he ready for his ultimate calling.

Secondly there was the suggestion that our lives, our journeys are a succession of 'missions'. I can relate to that. I struggle to identify an overall calling but I often know what the next mission is. I know what is next - it's very clear and then I guess I'll wait for the next one. A challenge from this morning was to see if we could identify any patterns or links between the missions which could point to an overall desire or mission. Not sure on that one.

Thirdly, I was reminded of one of the hard lessons we were taught at last year's Rites of Passage. 'Life is not about you, but you are about life.' I didn't really understand that last year and I'm not sure I really do now but it is making a bit more sense. I think it has something to do with understanding that I exist for others, not for myself. If I wake up tomorrow morning then it must be another opportunity to bless, serve and impact others, otherwise my time's up. Everything that happens to me is for a reason and I might never know the purpose or who it impacts - think of Job. However, it makes more sense of the bigger picture and the larger story that we find ourselves in.

But. I would much rather exist for myself than others.

Anyway, the food's been great as usual and we are just off to the Duck Inn for a pint and our evening meal.

Tomorrow's theme is suffering...