Robert Bellah’s landmark book, Habits of the Heart, helped many people name the thing that was (and still is) eating away at the cohesiveness of our culture—“expressive individualism.” Elsewhere, Bellah argued that Americans had created a culture that elevated individual choice and expression to such a level that there was no longer any shared life, no commanding truths or values that tied us together. As Bellah wrote, “. . . we are moving to an ever greater validation of the sacredness of the individual person, [but] our capacity to imagine a social fabric that would hold individuals together is vanishing. . . . The sacredness of the individual is not balanced by any sense of the whole or concern for the common good.” But near the end of Habits, the author proposes one measure that would go a long way toward reweaving the unraveling culture: To make a real difference . . . [there would have to be] a reappropriation of the idea of vocation or calling, a return in a new way to the idea of work as a contribution to the good of all and not merely as a means to one’s own advancement. Every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever.
But if we are to “reappropriate” an older idea, we must look at that idea’s origin. In this case, the source of the idea of work as vocation is the Christian Scriptures. The Bible teems with wisdom, resources, and hope for anyone who is learning to work, looking for work, trying to work, or going to work. And when we say that the Christian Scriptures “give us hope” for work, we at once acknowledge both how deeply frustrating and difficult work can be and how profound the spiritual hope must be if we are going to face the challenge of pursuing vocation in this world.
Everyone imagines accomplishing things, and everyone finds him or herself largely incapable of producing them. Everyone wants to be successful rather than forgotten, and everyone wants to make a difference in life. But that is beyond the control of any of us. If this life is all there is, then everything will eventually burn up in the death of the sun and no one will even be around to remember anything that has ever happened. Everyone will be forgotten, nothing we do will make any difference, and all good endeavors, even the best, will come to naught.
Unless there is God. If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a True Reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever. That is what the Christian faith promises. “In the Lord, your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
-Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Meet the Students
1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? I'm mostly kind of bad at favorites, but I love Star Wars everything. Disney movies are also my thing, especially Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but I also love Pan's Labyrinth and Clue (because Time Curry). My favorite book is Dune by Frank Herbert. My favorite band is this Icelandic post-rock group Sigur Rós, but I'd be remiss if I didn't also give shout-outs to Kimya Dawson, Simon and Garfunkel, and Beethoven.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? During orientation week my freshman year I happened to stumble across some Cornerstone folks playing four square and handing out ice cream. I ended up going to Freshman Bible Study, but couldn't make it to an actual Wednesday night Cornerstone gathering until spring semester of my sophomore year because of schedule conflicts, but I've been in a great discipleship group with Cody Latimer and Jeff Schallick since freshman year. I joined the Cornerstone leadership team spring semester freshman year on the Freshman Ministry Team, and continued on Service Team sophomore year.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? So, before college I didn't have the strongest foundation in Christianity, and had never experienced a Christian community with my peers. I actually spent about a year of high school wishing I had the discipline to be Tibetan Buddhist. Cornerstone was--and is--a place where I found Christian community. Being surrounded by people who were passionate about their faith put me in an environment where I could grow and develop my own faith and find passion for Christ. It was also a place I felt safe, like I could really be me and finally find self-confidence. Cornerstone is what made Pitt home for me, and it's where I met my best friends.
Financial Update
Moore News
Now it’s time to get back to “normal” life. I start my annual summer training soon, and before we know it the students will be back. The summer if flying by so incredibly fast.
I hope you are having a relaxing summer as well! May god bless all of you and your summer!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
