At the end of today’s devotional Downs asks us, “Be Brave: Work on writing a thesis statement for your life. What would you say is the theme of all the jobs, dreams, and opportunities you’ve had in your life?”

Is this something you would find challenging or straightforward? Have you ever looked back on all the different things you’ve done, all the different ways you’ve helped or loved or served and considered what traits might link them?

When I consider my history I run up against my old adversary, fear of failure. I remember all the times I tried this or that and failed, so not only can I not include that on my list but then I additionally suffer from remembering the pain of failure. Immediately, I feel reluctant to step out again. I’m afraid if I declare what I think my calling might be I will be wrong, or laughed at. My adversary says, “You? Have that as your calling? Are you crazy? You failed that time when…”

Perhaps that’s why it’s written as a challenge in a book about bravery. Perhaps I should keep pursuing my calling, or at very least my desire for clarity of my calling. Perhaps I should keep trying for as long as it takes. Perhaps we all should. Perhaps the intentional pursuit of a calling means we end up continually examining ourselves which in turn leads us to practise our talents and serve others? Maybe we don’t have to define our calling perfectly the first time? Maybe the desire to have one at all is a first step? I don’t have all the answers (even for myself) but I am going to be brave and try to write my thesis statement, even if I have to refine it in the future.