Prior to the Reformation, vocation or calling ("What
shall I do in my earthly life?") 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 was not just for pastors and those who work for the church,
and "vocation" was not limited to the time spent earning a living.
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
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 in 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.
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
even discomfort. Living out our vocation may involve going places where
we don't want to go, and denying ourselves in order to aid someone else.
But, looking back at the things we have actually done for others can
give us a very warn feeling ---- be a source of pleasure and delight in our
life as a giver.
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 really retires from God's call. Retirement is
just a gift that allows us to serve in new ways.
______________________________________________________________________
These thoughts are brought to you by CPC's Adult
Spiritual Development Team,
hoping to encourage you to pursue some personal spiritual
growth this summer at CPC.
______________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment