The Spirituality of Ordinary Life
Having a Calling
- The Lutherans were the first to use 'vocation' to refer to secular offices and occupations.
- Behind the term is the notion that every legitimate kind of work or social function is a distinct 'calling' from God, requiring unique God-given gifts, skills, and talents.
- "God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does." Wingren in the Exposition of Psalm 147
- Strictly speaking, we do not "serve God' -- rather, He is always the one serving us; instead, we serve our neighbors.
- The vocation of marriage itself causes selfish human beings to care for each other and support each other more than they would on their own.
- The vocation of parenthood causes normally selfish adults to sacrifice their own needs for the well-being of their children.
- Our own sinful inclinations do not necessarily thwart the way God works in vocation.
- Essentially, your vocation is to be found in the place you occupy in the present.
- Vocations are multiple. Any given person has lots of vocations.
