Vocation

Have you ever thought of life without a vocation? Nothing is so bad for the soul as feeling it is given to nothing.

What is a vocation? What is the difference between a vocation and an occupation? What is the difference between having a call and having a job?

Vocation gives meaning and significance to all of life, including work. God takes the initiative; He calls people. His people are the church. It's God and His people. They are an association of faith by the Holy Spirit. In the context of the church a person is called, has a vocation. God gives a variety of gifts. He gives to each person as He wills. Having been bought with a price (the cross!), one offers a life of loving service in the community of faith and in various stations in life.

God gives structure to vocation through orders (family, state, and church) and offices. His good gifts come to a person, and the person in their vocation is an instrument or channel through whom God's love and power flow to others. Vocation is for the sake of others. It's not grim duty; it's loving service filled with joy. Love finds joy in people.

All love in service ranks the same with God, however, there are differences between offices. There are the offices of pastor, and teacher, and lawyer; physician, writer, and secretary. Qualifications and preparation for the offices differ, and there are distinctions between them. In The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod there are designated church workers-pastors, teachers, deaconesses, directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, directors of music, directors of family life ministry, and lay ministers.

Vocation, understood from the Christian faith, is simple. Who is calling? God. To whom is the call addressed? His children. For what purpose does He call? That His children may come home, to gather around His Table, and then to run errands for Him. They are to lead a life worthy of the calling, to serve the saints, and to declare the wonderful deeds of God. With a vocation in the church, one has a vocation in the world. It is not equated with an occupation, but it may include occupation. God's people are to glorify God. This means to serve all persons regardless of their status, make the best possible use of the gifts God has given, and be grounded in God's Word and renewed by His grace.

How do you live in vocation?

• Be faithful as a serving member of your congregation, fed by Word and Sacraments
• Respond with joyful obedience to God's claims on you known in the context of persons and events in which you live
• Rejoice in your station of life but realize it is not final; be accepting but open
• Grow in the knowledge of God, of yourself, and the various areas of your vocation
• Pray for God's guidance and help in every aspect of your vocation

Through the church God calls certain members to specific offices or assignments in the church. Prayerfully consider whether you might begin preparation to become ready to serve as a church worker. Talk to God about it. Talk to your pastor or another church worker. Talk to your friends. Talk to your family.

Rev. Dr. L. Dean Hempelmann, Director of What a Way