Some Christians emphasize the question "Am I saved?" Presbyterians
emphasize the question "What am I saved for?" We believe that in Christ,
God has saved us, and therefore that perhaps our lives should be lived in
grateful response. But, specifically, what does that mean? Baptism is a sign
that we belong to God, and that we are called for service ---- but where do we
go from there?
Prior to the Reformation, vocation or calling was thought to be only for
those who worked for the church as priests, monks or nuns. An important belief
of the reformers John Calvin and Martin Luther was that God calls every
person. Vocation (service to glorify God) was not just for pastors and those
who work for the church.
John Calvin had high expectations that baptized Christians would actively
seek the welfare of others in the community of Geneva, Switzerland where he
lived, through education, health care and governance. For example, he
dispatched Elders to inspect fireplaces for safety. Imagine if pastors today
asked for reports from Elders at each Session meeting on their activities for
the community's welfare! But Presbyterians actually are involved in many such
activities ---- the PTA, city council, literacy campaigns, clean air task
forces, etc. ---- so there would be much to report.
Ministers and other ordained leaders of the church are charged with
equipping and encouraging all the baptized to respond to their vocational calls.
They also are talent scouts, always on the lookout for gifts in others
that can be nurtured and put to use. A retiree is connected with Sunday school
teaching. A beautician is encouraged to offer her skills to a women's shelter.
A gifted young musician performs for nursing home residents.
While other church members may influence the call that one perceives,
discernment of call often begins within ourselves, with a stirring, a
yearning to follow an inner voice. So, we might start with the questions, "What
gifts has God given me? What is God calling me to do with
them?"
At any age, assessing our own gifts is tricky. We are not always the best
judges of our talents. Sometimes we are drawn to a particular path in ignorance
of other paths, or out of personal egotistical aspirations, rather than in
response to God's call. There is the old story about the man who saw "PC" in a
cloud formation and thought surely he was called to "Preach Christ." After
listening to many of his sermons, some church folks suggested that he was called
to "Plant Corn."
We need help sorting out our inner stirrings to find God's call.
Presbyterians understand that discernment of call is not something we do alone,
but within the community of God's people. The best decisions come out of group
appreciations of one's gifts. We may believe that we have leadership skills,
for example. But, do others see that? If so, perhaps we are on the right
path.
The great "call" stories of the Bible demonstrate that a true call from God
is often resisted rather than welcomed. Our Scriptural role models usually did
not volunteer. They did not want to be called, and they did not think
they had the required qualities. Out minding the sheep, Moses was drafted. He
gave many excuses, but God did not accept them. Some of the most effective
Biblical leaders tell stories of being drafted for service, and trying to tell
God that they were not the right candidates. But they did respond to God's
call, and we remember them today.
In today's world, where individuals have many options for the use of their
time, with many voices speaking and many career choices offered, the Christian
understanding of a "calling" as self-sacrificing service to God and neighbor, is
not popular. Perhaps we ourselves are often like the Bible leaders God called,
who initially were sure they were just not the right candidates, because it
would mean giving up something they were already doing comfortably.
But, discerning one's vocation for God is not just a quest for
self-fulfillment, though many do experience deep satisfaction in their vocation.
A response to God's call often does require self-sacrifice and discomfort.
Living out our "vocation" may involve going places where we don't want to go.
It involves "giving back," and it may be costly, in the sense that deep down we
would really rather do something else.
Perhaps the question is more like this: "What am I supposed to do with
what God has given me?" This includes how we earn our paycheck and how we spend
it. It includes how we spend our time outside of work. It includes
looking for ways to help others, and acting on them ---- not just
for the sick and the infirm, but with the youth in our families and
neighborhoods who are seeking direction in their own lives.
No one retires from God's call. Retirement is just a gift that allows us
to serve in new ways.
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These thoughts are brought to you by CPC's Adult Spiritual Development
Team, hoping to encourage you to pursue some personal spiritual growth this fall
at CPC.
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