The document discusses the intersection of personal vocation and the gospel's call to serve others, emphasizing that true work is a mission of service rather than self-advancement. It suggests that understanding one's 'deep gladness' can guide individuals toward loving contributions that address the world's deep hunger. The narrative includes reflections from various individuals on how their faith influences their work, ultimately calling for a reimagining of workplace engagement aligned with spiritual values.

1. Christ’s Compelling Call
Where our deep gladness and the
world’s deep hunger meet

2. “What would you
consider to be
your deep gladness?”
(Hold that thought)

3. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
16
Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am
compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the
Good News! 17
If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve
payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.
18
What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News
without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I
preach the Good News.

4. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
19
Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all
people to bring many to Christ. 20
When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew
to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law,
I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this
so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21
When I am with the
Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,[a]
I too live apart from that law so I
can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of
Christ. 22
When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I
want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground
with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23
I do
everything to spread the Good News and share in its
blessings.

5. What does “do everything to spread
the Good News and share in its
blessings” mean for us, in practice,
today?

6. "I'd learned that I was supposed to be changed by the gospel of
Jesus Christ and therefore be "used by God" in my
relationship with others, and maybe even be distinctive in the way I
[worked]. Nice concepts, but what did they look like in
practice?

7. One CEO would share that he kept a Bible on his desk and that
occasionally someone in the company would ask about it. Another
prayed and the company thrived. Many viewed their corporate jobs
primarily as a means to make lots of money to give away to charities
and organizations they cared about. When I asked pastors and
business-people how their faith related to their work, they often
answered that a Christian's primary, if not sole, mission in the workplace
was to evangelize those with whom they worked. But most
businesspeople would quickly add that evangelism was not one of their
gifts. And none of these approaches addressed the issue
of how Christians' faith should affect the way they
worked.
– Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor

8. “Preach the Gospel at all times
and when necessary, use words.”
- St. Francis of Assisi

9. "… a re-appropriation of the idea of
vocation or calling, a return
in a new way to the idea of work as
a contribution to the good
of all and not merely as a
means to one's own
advancement."
- Robert Bellah, Habits of the Heart.

10. The Latin word vocare - to call - is at the root of our common word
"vocation."… A job is a vocation only if someone else calls
you to do it and you do it for them rather than for
yourself. And so our work can be a calling only if it is reimagined as a
mission of service to something beyond merely our own interests.
– Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor

11. To be a Christian in business, then, means much more than just being
honest or not sleeping with your coworkers. It even means more than
personal evangelism or holding a Bible study at the office. Rather, it
means thinking out the implications of the gospel worldview
and God's purposes for your whole work life - and for the
[area] under your influence.
– Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor

12. Where our deep
gladness meets the
world’s deep hunger

13. “The place God
calls you to is the
place where your
deep gladness and
the world’s deep
hunger meet.”
- Frederick Buechner, Wishful
Thinking: A Theological ABC

14. “What would you
consider to be
your deep gladness?”
(So, what’s your answer?)

15. "I believe that God made
me for a purpose. But
He also made me fast,
and when I run,
I feel His pleasure."
- Eric Liddell

16. “During the year 1957, I experienced by the
grace of God, a spiritual awakening which
was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more
productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I
humbly asked to be given the means and
privilege to make others happy
through music. I feel this has been
granted through his grace… This album is a
humble offering to him. An attempt to say,
"THANK YOU GOD" through our work, even
as we do in our hearts and with our tongues.
May he help and strengthen all men in
every good endeavor."
- John Coltrane, excerpt, liner notes to
“A Love Supreme.”

17. Where is the deep
hunger of the world
around you?

18. Homework:
The World’s
Deep Hunger:
My Deep
Gladness:
Where God has called me to:

19. Think of that cliché that nobody ever gets to the end of
their life and wishes they spent more time in the office.
It makes good sense, of course, to a point. But here's
a more interesting perspective: At the end of your life,
will you wish that you had plunged more of your time,
passion, and skills into work environments and
work products that helped people to give and
receive more love?
– Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor

20. Let us pray

21. Thank you for your
attention & stamina!