Church newsletter pastoral column for St. Peter Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa, for July, 2019.
Vocationally Expecting
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
– Colossians 3:17
How many times as a kid were you asked what you wanted to be when you grow up? As a child, I usually responded with astronaut—pastor wasn’t my answer until at least high school! It’s not a bad question for conversation, but isn’t it interesting that the answer to what “we want to be” is most often a job?
Lutherans use the word “Vocation” to describe God’s calling. In the middle ages, vocation meant being a church professional – a priest, nun, or monk. However, Martin Luther emphasized that a person can serve God in whatever kind of work or office you do.
Who you are is more than the occupation you hold. As Christians, our most important calling is to be God’s holy people. In baptism, we are given a responsibility to love and serve our neighbors. Everything we do is to be done in a way that brings glory to God.
Vocation is about how you live out your life as the body of Christ, so each of us has many vocations. Your vocation may include things such as being a friend, mowing your lawn, teaching Sunday School, delivering meals, being a student, playing on a sports team, spending time with grandchildren, working as a teacher or electrician, or any other role you have in life. Any task or role can be a vocation if it is done to glorify God and serve others in Jesus’ name.
This understanding of vocation means Christians cannot withdraw from the world. Some Christian traditions emphasize being set apart from the world and avoiding the temptations of the political realm and military service. As Lutherans, we believe the call to love our neighbors through all our various stations in life includes leaning in to engage in public service through things like voting, serving in our nation’s armed forces, and even running for public office. We engage in the public square because of our faith, seeking justice and peace in all God’s world.
God is at work in all areas of life, and God’s work is done through us, God’s people. Whether we’re at work, or on vacation, or volunteering, or spending family time, or at school, or in any other task or calling, God is at work. Being the church and living as children of God does not stop after worship on the weekend! This summer, keep an eye open for the ways God is working in and through you in all your many and various vocations.
Christin and I are very excited to announce that our lives will soon include a new vocation—being parents! We are expecting our first child around Christmas. This is an answer to prayer, and we look forward to the ways being parents will shape our lives and ministry together in the years to come. Thank you for your ongoing prayers for us, for this congregation, and for all our neighbors.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Daniel Flucke