Moving Past Purpose to Hear the Call

     A week ago I was told by a friend of mine who works in a Christian school about the summer reading lists for seniors. He admitted that the list was weak before he even shared it with me. After I read over it, I agreed with his assessment that it was weak. He was bothered by the insipid nature of most of the books, and in particular he was questioning the use of the still popular "Purpose Driven Life." I told him that there was indeed a great alternative. I asked if he was familiar with the writings of Os Guinness along the same line, but much more theologically, Biblically, and sociologically informed? He said he had not even heard of them, so I gladly shared the following titles with suggestions.
     For a small group of leaders, one should go through Entrepreneurs of Life as this work provides compelling primary source readings. The brief introductions to the readings move one toward the reading without distracting. There are also countless visual illustrations and sidebar quotes that assist in focus. This work uniquely explores the notion of entrepreneur in the context of calling. "An entrepreneur of life is one who responds to this call—who takes it on as a creative challenge, a venture of faith for the sake of good."  
     For either a small group, or that individual believer looking for a mental and spiritual challenge that is extremely rewarding, Os Guinness's The Call is that kind of devotional work that is filled with meat and absent of milk. This work is for those looking for a swim in the deeper end of the pool of thought. In addition to offering a glorious invitation to hear "the call," Guinness brilliantly exposes all the cultural and social counterfeits to "the call" that are so pervasive with the current crisis of vocation.  
     For the High school student, (with above average spiritual maturity and intelligence) there is a version of Guinness's insights entitled, Rising to the Call. This edition is specifically aimed at people at a juncture of their life trying to find that "reason for being" in life and work. A fine condensed version of the above mentioned books. 
     I cannot suggest strongly enough that if you are part of a Christian school, in particular a Classical Christian school, it would be a great intellectual and spiritual decision to place the appropriate Guinness book in the reading list of the appropriate audience. Boards, faculty, staff, students would all benefit from the reading of this work in the appropriate format. At whatever point you are in your life, unless you have already heard the call and answered, this book is well worth the effort.