Elaine Vitikainen
It’s amazing how easily we forget why we do what we do. I was really encouraged to read the personal introduction from a colleague appointed as Country Director in one organisation in Bangladesh. He took his inspiration for his new role from Paul’s instruction in Philippians 2:4, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”.
This reminded me of my early days in the mountains in the Philippines working in health. I also reconnected with how I felt in 2001 when I joined an international development agency in Cambodia. I remembered my energy, my passions and my dreams. I saw God’s vision clearly. It was obvious why I was doing what I was doing – I was serving others.
However, there were times in my many years working in Asia that all too often I was simply too busy. The work travel demanded too much of me. I got discouraged when the visible impact is not immediately obvious. I was easily got caught up with my day-to-day role. It was a long way from my early days — my formative ‘Genesis’ experiences. It took recommitting myself to God to bring me back to that place where God first called me and to be renewed by God’s spirit. I found myself resting in God who gave me back the vision of why I am doing what I am doing.
This week:
- When did you feel closest to your sense of calling?
- What is it that really inspires you?