The Doctrine of Vocation

As I continue to search for oases in this dry sojourn, I have certainly found a source of refreshment in a book titled, "God at Work, Your Christian Vocation in all of Life" by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

It may not seem likely that in a season of darkness a book about vocation would bring much to bear on discouragement or disillusionment. It seems that grace lurks where you least expect it. Which shouldn't suprise me, knowing that it is grace that seeks me, not vice versa.

Anyhow, the book has been interesting, enlightening, as well as encouraging. This post is to primarily to point you to Mr. Veith and say that it is well worth the $10 you will spend on it at amazon.com. Check it out here.

Obviously, the doctrine of vocation is simple enough to grasp. However, like so many other aspects of the Christian life, just grasping the concept isn't the goal. Jesus didn't come to teach theological concepts about spiritual life that we are to embrace in some rational, stoic fashion (even though that is what I have primarily done as has my wife). He taught us who He is in spite of who we are. You can understand that in a rational sense, or you can be embraced by that truth and caught up in rapture realizing what that means for your life. It will affect the way you brush your teeth, drive to work, respond to pain, treat your children, spouse, neighbors, and friends. It will truly change your life when the Spirit leads the information out into your living.

The same applies for any particular doctrine, but especially the doctrine of vocation because this is where we live. Martin Luther understood this well, and wrote about it. In his book he writes, speaking about the lowly servant girl, and what would happen if she were to apprehend the doctrine of vocation, she, "would dance for joy and praise and thank God...with her careful work, for which she receives sustenance and wages, she would obtain a treasure such as those who are regarded as the greatest saints do not have." "How could you be more blessed or lead a holier life?" "In God's sight it is actually faith that makes a person holy; it alone serves God, while our works serve people. Here you have every blessing, protection, and shelter under the Lord, and, what is more, a joyful conscience and a gracious God."

Luther also wrote to the servant girls, "If you do your household chores, that is better than the holiness and austere life of all the monks."

In closing, if you or anyone you know is struggling with the humdrum life of an unimportant, meaningless job, get and absorb this book and this doctrine!

Travis