Your calling is a zig-zag

Some encouragement about your creative work

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I never planned to be an editor.

Here’s my journey in a nutshell: I’m a journalism student turned pastor turned part-time DJ turned theology teacher turned freelance writer turned professional editor. Growing up, I inherited the false assumption that responsible folks know what they want to do, make a plan, and execute it. Certainty is a sign of maturity.

The problem is, life isn’t always that simple, is it? There’s turbulence, soul-searching, setbacks, and mysterious doors that open at unpredictable times. Rather than resenting the dozens of directional changes through the years, I’ve grown to cherish them.

Here’s 6 lessons from my own zig-zag journey that I hope will encourage you—in whatever season you’re in, or vocational options you’re considering…

1. Nothing is wasted.

When folks ask, What’s it like being an editor?, I often say, “It’s the job I’ve been preparing my whole life for, without realizing it.” And I mean that. Though I never set out to do this, I can see how everything that came before somehow equipped me for this work.

Without stocking warehouse shelves, I wouldn’t have learned that most work environments thrive on complaining and gossip—and how to tactfully bring positivity without appearing holier than thou. Without teaching high school, I wouldn’t have put in so many teaching reps or learned to win over a reluctant audience. Without pastoring, I wouldn’t know how to care well for authors who feel beaten up by the editing process or fatigued from the publishing slog.

Even Jesus, arguably the most influential figure in history, lived thirty years in obscurity as a carpenter before “going public” for three short years until he was executed. Who knows what lessons he absorbed through his hands as he sanded down planks and lined up angles, and how they informed his ministry.

Nothing in your life is wasted. The seemingly mundane or unwanted tasks in your life are not a curse. They’re tiny investments, preparing you for the future.

2. Don’t fret about what you “deserve.”

I’m convinced the quickest way to misery is to think constantly about “what you deserve.”

This works in two directions. First, when you’re stuck in a situation that feels beneath you (I deserve better), you’ll be too distracted to digest the nutrients of the moment. On the flipside, when you’re given opportunities that feel beyond your experience (I don’t deserve this), rather than rising to the occasion you’ll slink around like an imposter.

My entry into publishing was a whirlwind. I was brand new to the industry, but my boss saw a spark and took a chance on me. I’ll never forget the shock of receiving that phone call after just two interviews: “Is this Will? Hi, yes, I’m calling to let you know we’d like to offer you the position of Senior Editor…”

Looking at my resume, did I “deserve” it? Not a chance. But since I’m here, and since everything I’ve done before has equipped me for this, I might as well enjoy it and give it all I got.

Life is a gift to be received, not a right to be claimed. As much as possible, choose diligence over entitlement and gratitude over insecurity. Easier said than done, I know, but why not aim high?

3. Know the difference between calling and assignment.

When I became an editor, I’d spent thirteen years working at churches and a lot of money to earn a Masters degree in theology, expecting to become a lead pastor. When I suddenly found myself hired as an editor, as exciting as it was, it threw me into an identity crisis.

Why did I spend so many years preparing for ministry, only to pivot to publishing?
Was God still pleased with me, or had I let him down?
Who was I, without “pastor” in the title?

I’ve often been confused and perplexed by those who claim God has “one vocation” for everyone’s life, and it’s up to us to discover it. I’ve longed for that kind of focused vision, that unshakeable certainty, but if I’m honest, life has felt more like “Let’s figure this out as we go” more than “Let’s follow Plan A.”

That’s why it’s helpful to distinguish between calling and assignment. Your calling never changes, but your assignment shifts with the seasons. As a follower of Jesus, I believe my greatest calling to love God and others never changes, however, my specific assignment does: I was a pastor for a while, now I’m an editor.

Let your calling anchor you, but don’t be afraid to shift your assignment with the seasons.

4. The thing you want is rarely the thing you get.

You won’t hear this from most life coaches out there, but the idea that you can work hard and achieve whatever you want is a lie. Life isn’t that simple and too many of us want the same things: demand outweighs supply. Alas, life is riddled with “almosts”.

I’ve received so many no’s that crushed me in the moment, but over time, I became grateful. Turns out, what I thought I wanted so badly in the moment changed five years later.

It’s deflating to encounter slammed doors and dashed hopes. You may not feel it in the moment, but it’s usually a good thing when opportunities slip through your fingers. If your plans aren’t pliable, you become breakable, so learn to loosen your grip (or else lose your mind).

5. Even the yes’s are bittersweet.

Economist Thomas Sowell says, “There are no solutions, only tradeoffs.” So true. Even the best opportunities—the greenest pastures—still have brown spots. I’m honored to be an editor at Penguin, and yet, some days I still miss pastoring.

It’s easy to romanticize our calling, as if there’s a perfect role out there that pays big, forefronts our gifts, and minimizes conflict. Nope, what’s best for us is often what tests us.

I have friends who bounce from job to job, chasing the perfect role. Spoiler: it doesn’t exist. So if you’re challenged right now, maybe you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. If your vocation’s causing perspiration, maybe you’re actually making a difference.

6. Success is a shapeshifter.

When I first entered publishing, I had been so fixated on a desired outcome (lead a church), it took me a moment to recognize the gift of editorial work. I was married to a specific vision of the future, so it took time to see my new role as a success, not a detour.

We love control. It feels good to know what’s coming around the corner. But such rigidity blinds us to unexpected blessings, as James Clear writes,

"If you keep showing up, you'll almost certainly break through—but probably not in the way you expected or intended. You need enough persistence to keep working and enough flexibility to enjoy success when it comes in a different form than you imagined."

Just because you didn’t expect it doesn’t mean you should regret it. Learn to spot success in the foliage—right in the midst of the mess.

Your zig-zag road

If you feel paralyzed at a juncture, unsure which path to take, I hope these reflections provide the confidence to turn left or right. If you feel burdened by the monotony of a drudgery-filled role, I hope you squeeze every drop of learning out of this season. If you find yourself dizzied by an unexpected layoff or transition, I hope you start to recognize God’s wisdom in closing and opening doors.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing—know that calling is rarely a straight, predictable line. It’s a zig-zag, my friends.

I’m rooting for you,

—Will

Where has your zig-zag journey led you?

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PS - Ever feel like your ideas are strong but the structure just isn’t clicking? That’s why I’m hosting a live workshop on Thursday, September 25th: 5 Ways to Structure Your Writing. I’ll share simple, proven approaches I use as an editor to help writers organize their thoughts.

👉 Become a paid subscriber today and get monthly access to this session (plus a new workshop every month).

Will Parker Anderson is the founder of Writers Circle, a community to help Christian writers sharpen their skills and publish their work for the glory of Jesus. He is a senior editor at Waterbrook and Multnomah—an imprint of Penguin Random House.