vocation: 9-to-5 and 5-to-9

I've been meeting with some women in their 20s during August to talk about things like vocation, calling, gifts, passions, strengths . . . the different facets of how God has wired us individually.  One part of our discussions has been the idea of vocation being all of our lives - not just what we do to earn a paycheck.  God created us to work, to care for this world He created and placed us in - but we often view that work as only taking place in the scope of our jobs/careers.  Thankfully, God intends much more for us!  While it's great when what we do 9-5 aligns with what we're passionate about, what we do 5-9 is just as significant in how we pursue being faithful stewards of the life God has given us.  Understanding vocation-as-all-of-life is also critical when we (inevitably) find ourselves in careers or jobs that don't line up with how we're gifted or what we've been educated to do - because it enables us to see our vocation also playing out in what happens after we leave our workplace at the end of the day.

I started a new job earlier this summer . . . one that aligns with things I enjoy and am gifted to do, as well as gives me opportunities to grow in new ways - both professionally and personally.  I feel incredibly blessed to be in my shoes right now - both because of the current economy and because I know what it's like to be in a job that doesn't "fit."

Part of what I'll be doing in my new position is teaching business school freshmen; over the course of the year, we'll be talking about a spectrum of things together: goals, time management, resume-writing, how to work in groups, diversity, curriculum, gaining an international perspective, and the list goes on.  One of my desires as I think about my class is to dialogue about things that matter, about Truth - and there is a layer of challenge in doing so in a setting that is secular.  This concept of vocation falls into the "things that matter" category and is definitely one that I believe is critical as these students begin their undergraduate experience.  I just finished reading one of the articles we'll be discussing in class (What are you going to do with that?, by William Deresiewicz), and I was delighted to see the concept of vocation-as-all-of-life woven into the author's comments.  While I may not agree with everything he says, I am a fan of the ideas he is raising - and am curious to see how my students will respond!  I'd also love to hear thoughts from those of you who have read to the end of this post ;-)  Reactions to the article?  Other places you've seen vocation discussed well?