Day 76: Vocations
Read Colossians 3:17
A man walking down the street saw two men working with brick and mortar. He asked the first man what he was doing. The fellow snorted back, “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m laying brick!” Upon asking the second worker what he was doing, the man rose up, stared heavenward, and said, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!” The two men went through the same physical actions, but each was doing something completely different.
When we understand the Bible’s teaching on vocation, the most mundane work become the holiest of activities. Everything is redeemed as service to God—and is recognized as from God, through us, to those who benefit from our labors. Work is a blessing. Some people think of work as a curse, but God ordained work for us at creation (Genesis 1:27‐28)—since before the Fall (described in Day 26, The Original Temptation). Work is good—so long as work is for good. For example, an assassin’s actions defy his or her other callings from God and the fifth commandment against murder. So long as the job you do does not defy God’s Word, it is holy. The pay scale may be different based upon the position description, but not the One for whom you work.
For whom you work raises the question of why you work. If you work “for God,” then you do not work for status, power, or wealth. You may gain these outcomes from your position, but we pursue careers as holy orders from God and service to others. Our aptitudes, passions, personalities and context will be major factors we consider, but our motivation will change our occupations into vocations. God’s gracious call leads us to view our careers as callings.
Holy Spirit, remind me to approach my work or classes as if You are working with me every single moment, because You are.
A man walking down the street saw two men working with brick and mortar. He asked the first man what he was doing. The fellow snorted back, “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m laying brick!” Upon asking the second worker what he was doing, the man rose up, stared heavenward, and said, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!” The two men went through the same physical actions, but each was doing something completely different.
When we understand the Bible’s teaching on vocation, the most mundane work become the holiest of activities. Everything is redeemed as service to God—and is recognized as from God, through us, to those who benefit from our labors. Work is a blessing. Some people think of work as a curse, but God ordained work for us at creation (Genesis 1:27‐28)—since before the Fall (described in Day 26, The Original Temptation). Work is good—so long as work is for good. For example, an assassin’s actions defy his or her other callings from God and the fifth commandment against murder. So long as the job you do does not defy God’s Word, it is holy. The pay scale may be different based upon the position description, but not the One for whom you work.
For whom you work raises the question of why you work. If you work “for God,” then you do not work for status, power, or wealth. You may gain these outcomes from your position, but we pursue careers as holy orders from God and service to others. Our aptitudes, passions, personalities and context will be major factors we consider, but our motivation will change our occupations into vocations. God’s gracious call leads us to view our careers as callings.
Holy Spirit, remind me to approach my work or classes as if You are working with me every single moment, because You are.