Vocation in the Christian context

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~ Colossians 3:17

 

For most people, the word vocation probably makes them think of a job — the work they get paid for. But when we speak of a person's vocations in a Christian context we are not primarily thinking of employment. Rather, the word vocation is actually the God-given role a person has in relation to others.

 

In this sense, being a son or a daughter is a vocation, as is being a father or a mother. These are God-given roles with God-given responsibilities, and God-given blessings. Being a husband or a wife, a brother or a sister, is a vocation, as is being a boss or a worker. Each vocation is a gift from God, and each vocation has its own unique responsibilities. In the same way, being a pastor is a vocation, as is being a congregation member. Each of these vocations come with responsibilities and blessings. The responsibilities we have are to each other, but they are also responsibilities toward God.

 

The above verse is a good life verse for all vocations - "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him." What does it mean to "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus?" It means that how you live your life - everything you say and everything you do - should be done as if you are representing Christ Himself. Every opportunity you have to fulfill whatever roles God has given you, is a chance for you to live out your faith in Christ.

 

It has been said that when we are baptized we "put on Christ." We are "Christened" as it were, in Holy Baptism, and are therefore called "Christian." As Christians were are ambassadors of Christ - everything we say and everything we do represents Christ to the world around us (for better or for worse). When we see ourselves in the light of this truth, every single one of us rightly feels overwhelmed with shame and guilt.

 

Have you been the obedient and loving son or daughter that God made you to be?

 

Have you been the responsible, caring, providing father or mother that God made you to be? Have you been the faithful husband or wife? Husband, have you loved your wife as Christ loved the Church, sacrificing everything for her good - providing for her and caring for her as your own body? Wife, have you submitted to your husband and worked in harmony with him, following his direction for the good of your household? I could go on and on. How do we measure up as citizens, neighbors, friends...? Each of these are God-given vocations with God-given responsibilities and God-given blessings.

 

It is easy for us to focus on the responsibilities and to feel put-upon or to get overwhelmed by our own failures. It is also easy for us to point the finger at others and how they have failed to fulfill their vocations, rather than humbly focusing on ourselves and trying our best to represent Christ in all we say and do. But the truth of the matter is, every single one of us is alive today because of the blessings God has provided through other people fulfilling their vocations in our lives (even though each one of them fulfilled their vocation ever so imperfectly).

 

And so it is good for us to give thanks to God, as the verse above says. We give thanks to God not only for the way He blesses us through other imperfect people, but also for the way He has seen fit to give us responsibilities in our various vocations so that we might be a blessing to others. Yes, we are called to be little christs, representing Christ to everyone we meet in ordinary everyday ways. And the crazy and mysterious thing is, when we serve others in each of our various vocations, we are also serving Christ Himself.

 

..Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. ~ Matthew 25:40

 

Living Forever, Now,

Pastor Michael J. Grannis

St. Paul Lutheran, Waseca (LCMS)