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Purpose
The Vocational Ethos of Lloyd Dobler
How an 80s movie illustrates my struggle with calling and commerce
I told my wife recently that, over the years, we’ve quoted far more movie lines to each other than Scripture.
As devotees to the Christian faith, I understand this is a tad problematic. While I don’t believe the foundation of our beliefs and behavior comes from movies, they’ve certainly affected us in ways both deep and superficial.
If not a direct influence, one movie has at least mirrored my views on money and vocation. In the 1980s film, , the character, Lloyd Dobler, when asked what he wants to do after he graduates high school, says the following:
“I don’t want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed.”
These lines resonate with me to this day. When considering what I want to do with my life, I’ve felt a strong distaste for most anything commercial or industrial.
I worked at a factory a few summers after high school — a time I don’t remember fondly. I was a lousy employee while working in…
