There are a whole range of topics that get discussed on running websites / forums - not just running. The latest thread that I was pointed towards a couple of days ago was one asking the question, 'Do you have a vocation?' A range of answers have come from a variety of perspectives - both Christian and otherwise.
When we talk about a vocation we're talking about following a calling. And if we're coming from a Christian perspective then we'd be talking about following a particular path in life (usually in terms of a job/career) in obedience to God's calling. And I expect that if I was to ask a congregation to list the sorts of people who have a vocation the list would include jobs like ministers, doctors, teachers, nurses.
If you've read the last few posts on here you will know that I am settling into a new church. This weekend I am going to be officially inducted into my new role as minister. Part of that service involves telling the story of how I came to hear the call to leave my past church and settle in this very different context.
But do you have a vocation? What is it that God has called you to do?
There are a number of passages in the New Testament that help us to see that God equips every Christian to fulfil their part in what God is doing. Sometimes when we read a sentence like that we think about the sorts of things people might do in a church - such as preach or play an instrument or help with the children's work or lead a Bible Study group. But we don't always think about our 'secular' work or our daily routine.
I recently heard or read someone say something along the lines of: it's not what we do that makes something secular or sacred - it's why we do it.
I guess this can be both an encouragement and a challenge. An encouragement that whatever we're doing - if it's what God has called us to - is important. At times it may seem routine and unappreciated but if it is what God has asked us to do then there is nothing more important. Maybe as we start a new day we need the reminder that what we'll be involved in today is part of what God has called us to.
A challenge in the sense that we need to ask 'am I doing what God wants?' Maybe we need to go back a step and ask 'what is it that God wants me to do?'
