Christ Presbyterian Academy
Author Jordan Raynor speaks to US students on Called to Create

Jordan Raynor, author of The Sacredness of Secular Work, Called to Create, Redeeming Your Time, etc.,  joined CPA as the first Sojourn speaker of this school year. Sojourners are travelers who share their story of how they overcame trials and tribulations and disappointment as they discovered their own unique design and divine purpose. These events, sponsored by TICE, are presentations for the entire upper school intended to encourage, challenge, and inspire our students and faculty in their own journey. 

Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work and vocation. The main question he presented to the group was Who are you meant to be

To answer this question, first we need to know who God is. If we are made in the image of God, then we must understand what God is like. God is loving and kind, but he is so much more. He is a Creator and He works joyfully to create. Jordan walked the students through the story of creation with a focus on how God worked to create everything, including us. 

Next, Jordan explored who we were meant to be in the beginning. Humans were created to be with Him. God invited us to work with Him so that we could rule the Earth and create a Heaven on Earth. People are meant to make the Earth more useful for other people’s benefit. Unfortunately, sin entered the world which led Jordan into the next question; Who we are meant to be today?

Sin broke our ability to work with God. Sin broke our ability to work joyfully. Following sin, work became hard. But, the purpose of our salvation in Jesus is to get back to who we were meant to be as children of God who are with God fully and joyfully. 

We are called to work and share the Gospel with others through our work. This does not necessarily mean we should all be pastors or missionaries. It means that Jesus should be seen in all that we do and in our work, regardless of vocation. If our job makes the world a better place, and our colleagues can see Jesus through our actions and spirit, then it is right. 

“Who are you meant to be today?,” Jordan asked. “A child of God who joyfully works with Him and for Him–filling, subduing, and ruling the Earth, while making disciples along the way. When you create and show others the Creator in you, you bring joy to the world and to God.” 

Jordan listed a gamut of professions having the students stand when they heard what they wanted to be as adults. The majority of students were standing as the prospects were unveiled. However, scattered through the auditorium, some students were still seated. Jordan finally unveiled the category for the remaining seated students, calling on the group in the undecided category–affirming them, as the majority of high-school-aged students have yet to form a specific early career interest. He encouraged them to stay open, listen, and hone their instincts to guide them closer to their God-given gifts. 

Jordan reminded all the standing students that they do not need permission to do what God created them to do. The session concluded with the faculty reaching out to the students covering them in prayer that each one would have the courage to create as God called us to create.