The Hub, October 1, 2019
Everyone has a unique call from God. Ultimately, we are to glorify God by loving God with all that we are and through loving others as ourselves – no matter what we do or where we find ourselves. Yet, the Devil is often in the details! How do we know which way to go?
Interests, hobbies, varied experiences and talents all come together to help clarify our way. Some of us end up in overt care, teaching or service professions. Others might find their primary place is in the home building family life. Still others might find themselves placed in jobs which seem far removed from faith. Indeed, our call may even change over time as we learn more, encounter new people and experiences, or our abilities change.
Yet not surprisingly, if love for God and our neighbor is present in the way we fulfill our duties, we will discover sacred moments in ANY job. If faith shapes how we treat others in business, Christ will be there with us. God wants sacred light to shine throughout the world, even where we work or study. Our intended vocation (at its root meaning “sacred call”) often will be discovered where our passions and God’s purpose for us cross.
Last Sunday, we exposed our youth to a “Wheel of Service.” In one station, a Fredericksburg medic taught them about emergency medical care for serious, bleeding wounds. He also shared about volunteer opportunities for teens with his department and the joys of his career. In a second station, our youth group served other youth by packing “Feed the Children” bags. These bags help food insecure students in our region. They also learned about the operations of our Food Pantry and how it helped our neighbors. Finally, Pastor David Casey, our Campus and Young Adult Missioner, led us in a discussion about campus ministry. Not only are such ministries an opportunity for food, fellowship and relaxation, such programs can help one grow in faith and find one’s way forward to the place Jesus is trying to lead us. Retreats, spiritual direction, volunteering (such as with Young Adults in Global Mission or the Lutheran Volunteer Corps), service projects, presentations about other people’s calls and our shared ministries, and yes, even attendance at Sunday worship can all come together to plant seeds for tomorrow.
However, don’t think such discernment is only for the young. Each and every day, we have a new adventure instore when following Jesus. No matter how old we are, our perceived abilities or disabilities, our assets or struggles, Jesus is calling us. Jesus is calling you. Seek to intentionally discern that call and follow Jesus. There might be a time of waiting. Perhaps we will only understand looking backward. Yet, Christ will get us to where we each need to be for the sake of his Church and the world.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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