In the first part of the series, we explored what a vocation is and why it is important in all of our lives. In this second and final part, we are going to navigate its historical significance, and how that affects us even today. With all that was happening during the Reformation period of the 16th century, it can be easy to overlook the shift that took place in the concept of vocation. Yet, the teaching of vocation that emerged out of this period strikes at one of the most important questions we all must consider; how are we to live in our time on this earth?
“THE TEACHING OF VOCATION BECAME SOMETHING THAT SATURATED ALL OF LIFE, SHOWING HOW GOD CARES FOR HIS CREATION IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY.”
Prior to the 16th century, the popular viewpoint of vocation was limited to strictly religious roles, such as the call to become an ordained priest. Yet, the teaching of vocation became something that saturated all of life, showing how God cares for His creation in every nook and cranny. Just think about how much goes into our daily food. The ingredients must be gathered, combined, distributed, bought, prepared, and eaten. Yet, daily food does not simply come from the processes of men, but from God (Matthew 6:26).
With this in mind, it can be seen how Martin Luther’s popularized notion of the “priesthood of all believers” became widespread, since it takes many different functions to maintain the Church body (1 Peter 2:5-9). Jesus, being the High Priest, is our Mediator, which serves as the grounds for the equal position of all believers (1 Timothy 2:5). So, while the vocation of ministry is a very significant calling, it is not the only calling. Such a conviction sparked a shift in how Christians could view their earthly work that was done outside of the walls of the church.
Related to a my recent post, Knots of Gnosticism, there is a huge difference between viewing our earthly work as truly meaningful, or something that we do just to get by until we get out of a body that is deemed no-good. Yes, the Bible often talks of the flesh being unproductive (John 6:63). However, there is a difference between what the word “flesh” means in context, and what our physical body is. Flesh, in such cases, is referring to our sinful inclinations, which does affect and corrupt the body. Yet, being born again, the body is renewed by the Spirit (Colossians 3:10). The importance of the physical body is attested to in that the Word became flesh, and Jesus’ resurrection was physical, even bearing the marks of what sinful flesh is capable of; with the importance of the physical body comes the importance with what we do with it.
What does this encompass? Well, what is your life wrapped up in? Family? Community? Church? These are the pillars that are deeply affected by what a vocation or a calling truly is. So, vocation is more than just a calling to an occupation. It is also a call to get married or to not get married, a call to love and serve our neighbors through our work, and a call to serve the local church in some capacity. All of these are done to fulfill the overall calling of the building up of the universal Church (Ephesians 2:19-22). Accordingly, all of these pillars are essential in the life of the Chrisitan.
The historic significance of recapturing what vocation ought to be in the life of a Christian is something that we should deeply cherish. The idea that we can treat our earthly work as truly meaningful, not something we do just to get by, is motivating. What’s more, the idea that vocation is relevant to more than just a job is re-energizing. Because of this, while we should have ambition for a future occupation, we also need to focus on what we can do to serve and love our family, friends, neighbors, and yes, even our enemies, in the here and now (Matthew 5:43-45).
