Birds, Passions, and Callings

In 2011, 20^th Century Fox released The Big Year, starring Steve Martin (Stu), Jack Black (Brad), and Owen Wilson (Kenny). Now, I know what you are probably thinking, but no. This movie is not a mindless comedy built upon crude humor. Rather, it is movie that, while having very funny moments, is rather serious and can force some very real and pointed introspection.

Stu, Brad, and Kenny are very different people who have different personalities and life-circumstances. Stu is an accomplished CEO, who built his company from the ground up. Brad is an average-Joe computer programmer. Kenny is an affluent ego-maniac. The common thread between these three men is a love of birds. More specifically, the common thread is an attempt at what is called a “Big Year,” which in birding circles refers to an effort to see how many different specifies of birds one can observe in one calendar year.

The movie juxtaposes the efforts of these three men, including the individual obstacles that face each man in their quest for their Big Year. Stu becomes increasingly aware of his mortality and eventually realizes that he has spent too much time building his company and that the waning years of his life must be spent with his family. Brad spends every moment of his spare time and money in the pursuit of his passion while suffering the critical inquires of his father. Ultimately, through a series of events, Brad’s father comes to understand his son’s passion. Kenny, who is the proclaimed King of Birding and world record holder for the number of different birds observed in one year, will let nothing and no man keep him from sitting atop of the pinnacle…not even his marriage.

What is very revealing is that each character, at particular points in the movie, faces what I like to refer to as cross-roads moments. At specific junctures, each is forced to consider what is more important—the pursuit of a passion at all costs or allowing that passion to be merely a passion and not an obsession. In one scene, Kenny has a heated exchange with his wife, who senses that Kenny’s pursuit is tearing apart their relationship. In that exchange, Kenny refers to his passion as a “calling.” This struck me as an interesting choice of words, particularly as I could not help but connect this movie with the vocational pursuits of many young evangelicals.

As young Evangelicals, we often hear the term “calling” tossed around, particularly at evangelical institutions of education. Students are often encouraged to gain a sense of their calling so to fashion their career goals accordingly. The assumption is that everyone has skills and abilities, and as Christians, we should seek a vocation that maximizes one’s abilities in a specific service to the Kingdom of God. Often, though not necessarily intended, this logic translates into a fixation upon a particular vocation. Thus, a perception is creation that a calling cannot be fulfilled outside of a particular vocation.

The unfortunate reality is that with such logic there is a very real possibility of a devastating conundrum. What happens when the pursuit of a calling comes up empty? For example, what happens when one’s pursuit of a calling in full time missions puts his or her family in a potentially compromising and destructive environment? I have seen it happen. Or, what happens if a calling to business requires that one put his or her life savings on the line, knowing full well that such an “investment’ could send the family into bankruptcy? What happens when the pursuit of a degree or education financially hinders your family, perhaps for years to come? Again, I have seen it come to fruition.

The potency of such a conundrum arises when we realize that these undesirable, and in some cases crippling, circumstances appear not in the midst of vain pursuit, but rather in the pursuit of something that is God-glorifying. What is one to make of, and how is one to respond to, crippling circumstances that are the result of an honest, God-glorifying pursuit? Shall we press on at all costs under the mantra that, “If this is my calling, all will be well in the end?”

This is a tough question, but it needs to be considered, particularly since it is usually avoided (at least in my experience). Moreover, no. I do not think that Christians should press forward at all costs. Consider Acts 16. In this text, Paul receives a vision of a man, who tells him to stop his intended pursuit into Asia but rather head to Macedonia. From there, Paul heads to Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, and other very important places. Of course, we can only speculate what would have happened if Paul would have been stubborn and unwilling to yield to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. However, the writer seems to imply that the face of the New Testament Church would have been drastically different.

Young Evangelicals need to gain a proper understanding of a calling, particularly in light of its role in determining one’s vocational choices. If we understand a calling not as something that is fixed to a particular vocation, then the Christian is more receptive to adapt in the face of crippling circumstances. Of course, I am not advocating that everyone deviate at the sniff of a stiff headwind. However, during those moments when something must give, understanding that one’s calling as a Christian is not fixed to one particular vocation but rather to the Lord whom I serve can be rather freeing…at least it has been for me.

Indeed, these statements may seem trivial to some of you reading this. With all due respect, these words are not for you. Rather, they are for those who have experienced the emotions described in this post. They are for the young evangelical college student, seminary student, and graduate student who have sensed a burden placed upon their soul, experienced the guidance of God Almighty, and have still seen their efforts come back relatively fruitless.

At the end of the movie, Stu and Brad are on the phone discussing the published results of their Big Year. Brad finished second and Stu fourth. The winner is, predictably, Kenny, but at the expense of having lost his marriage. The movie ends with this simple but profound juxtaposition.