How clear is our vocation?

How clear is our vocation, Lord, 

when once we heed your call

to live according to your word 

and daily, learn, refreshed, restored,

that you are Lord of all 

and will not let us fall.

In what you give us, Lord, to do,

together or alone,

in old routines or ventures new,

may we not cease to look to you,

the cross you hung upon,

all you endeavored done.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal #580

These are the first and last verses of the hymn we sang at a worship service led by Bishop Prois and the synod staff during a Holy Week service for clergy a couple of years ago. All too frequently, the pastors and leaders of worship services miss out on the chance to really worship during regular services, being so focused on the leading, preaching, and details of the experience. So when I had a chance to relax and just beduring this worship service, these words really spoke to me.

As members of Faith and Bethel, you’ve heard me preach about vocation, and how God can use anything and everything we do for the sake of the Kingdom and the Gospel. The various vocations we have in our daily lives include the work we do at our jobs, as well as the way we live in each moment and interaction outside our work. That means that when a lawyer meets with a client, she can minister to her client’s needs in the legal arena, but also out of her faith and understanding that God cares about justice for victims. When a father changes the diaper of his infant, he is ministering to the needs of that child and sharing the love that comes first from God. When grandparents attend a soccer game to watch the grandchildren play, their presence is a reflection of the constant presence of God. No matter what we do through our vocations, we can serve God by serving God’s people and creation.

Having just celebrated Easter Sunday, and now entering into the fifty-day-long season of Easter, I hope that we can spend some time focused on the callings we receive from the Holy Spirit to live this new, resurrection life we have been given. Each of us receives a calling at baptism to live as Christ’s disciples, but our gifts and talents are unique so we serve in many different ways. As I have learned in my own life, when we set out to do one thing, that path may take us to entirely new and unforeseen places. But as the words of this hymn promise, “you are Lord of all and will not let us fall.” So whether you are continuing “in old routines” this May, or if you are beginning “ventures new,” remember that the Risen Christ goes with you and his great love stands always before you in the shape of the cross.

Peace, in name of the Risen Christ!

Pastor Ben McIntire