Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer,
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Jeff Smith
Box 4534
Dr. Kevin Durant
Palmer Paper
03/22/13
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer,
In the book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer, one will find many truths to help them on the path of finding their identity in vocation. Human beings are searching for authenticity of the soul that lives within them and Palmer gives each of us clues to help make the process easier. His constant message throughout the book asks, “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” I personally found this book challenging and it made me think about my vocation as a minister as a whole. I know God has called me to the ministry, but I am still working through the fine-tuning of that calling. In other words, is God calling me to work as a pastor, missionary, youth minister, teacher, or a music worship leader? My seminary experience is helping me figure this out. However, I feel I am called to all of the above in some capacity. Regardless, of the vocational outcome the only thing I can control today is my relationship with God. I appreciate the words Palmer uses to address this and I feel it resonates my own identity. God asks us to only honor our created nature, which means our limits as well as potentials (Palmer 50). My first year of seminary has afforded me to explore what my limits are. It is obvious that I cannot do everything like I
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used to do when I was younger. Even then, I only thought I could do everything. However, I am in the process of learning what my potentials are. How am I learning this? My nature is finally matched with Gods nature and my vocation is as well. In conclusion, I enjoyed the clear honest approach that Palmer uses and the challenges he brings to the table. I hope to spend more time throughout the summer exploring this book in greater detail and meditating on the truths that are
Jeff Smith
Box 4534
Dr. Kevin Durant
Palmer Paper
03/22/13
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer,
In the book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer, one will find many truths to help them on the path of finding their identity in vocation. Human beings are searching for authenticity of the soul that lives within them and Palmer gives each of us clues to help make the process easier. His constant message throughout the book asks, “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” I personally found this book challenging and it made me think about my vocation as a minister as a whole. I know God has called me to the ministry, but I am still working through the fine-tuning of that calling. In other words, is God calling me to work as a pastor, missionary, youth minister, teacher, or a music worship leader? My seminary experience is helping me figure this out. However, I feel I am called to all of the above in some capacity. Regardless, of the vocational outcome the only thing I can control today is my relationship with God. I appreciate the words Palmer uses to address this and I feel it resonates my own identity. God asks us to only honor our created nature, which means our limits as well as potentials (Palmer 50). My first year of seminary has afforded me to explore what my limits are. It is obvious that I cannot do everything like I
Smith 2
used to do when I was younger. Even then, I only thought I could do everything. However, I am in the process of learning what my potentials are. How am I learning this? My nature is finally matched with Gods nature and my vocation is as well. In conclusion, I enjoyed the clear honest approach that Palmer uses and the challenges he brings to the table. I hope to spend more time throughout the summer exploring this book in greater detail and meditating on the truths that are