Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential

by Gordon T. Smith

Book Overview

God has called you--first to himself, to know and follow him but also to a specific life purpose, a particular reason for being.This second call, to a defining purpose or mission in life, is often termed a vocation, from the Latin root meaning "calling." And while it has implications for your work or occupation, it also reaches wider. It includes your giftedness, your weakness, your life in community, what you do day to day. In this book, Gordon Smith...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830822542
• ISBN13: 9780830822546
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: IVP Books
• Length: 201 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

It was just what I needed

I purchased this book as a required textbook for a college course. It turned out to be so much more than a grade. I have read it. I have highlighted it. I have taken notes for it. Now I am sharing it with everyone in my family. This is an amazing book. It has taught me how to maintain focus and direction as I move on in my college studies and into my career. It is a must have for anyone looking to find a context for their lives.

A really great book

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I heartily recommend it as a source of great wisdom about matters such as callings, courage, mature living, choices, living. Written from a Christian perspective by a very wise leader. I am giving lots of copies away to good friends - both young adults and mid-career friends struggling with lots of priorities. Smith offers very helpful, practical guidance!!

Insightful and intelligent

This is the first of Gordon T. Smith's books I have read and now I intend to read others. He writes with unusual insight. I confess I have found many mainstream Christian living books written for too wide an audience, with a basic-level vocabulary, but Smith writes with intelligence, precision, and wisdom. This book aided my understanding a great deal as I struggled with a vocational loss of direction. I am so grateful for his perception and I praise this book in hope that it will guide you to a clearer understanding of God's direction for your life.

Life Changing and Unconventional

This book was given to me by a friend who is an avid reader and said it was the best book he had read in years. I totally agree. Gordon Smith provides an unconventional, but highly Biblical approach to God's will and leading our lives. His emphasis on vocation rather than work or tasks, challenges many of the basic pillars of life people believe today. Yet he substantiates these differing views with solid evidence from the Bible. Especially helpful is the discussion on transitions through stages of life and the vital issues that must be addressed to make these transitions successful. This book is a must read and applies to people in all stages of life.

NOT a phony how-to-know-God's-will guide

This book is tremendous. After reading it I can say that I still don't know what I want to do with my life, but I have a much better grasp on how to go about identifying my vocation...and am willing to be patient and take the long view. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to take a thoughtful (and potentially life-changing) look at where they are and what they're doing with their time on earth.