Vocation 2 - Our Callings

Vocation II: Our callings are multiple

The word "vocation" does not just mean "job," as in the secularized version of this theological term. It is the Latin word for "calling." The idea is that God has "called" us to different tasks and to the different people he has brought into our lives. We have multiple vocations. In the Reformation classification, we have callings in the family (as husbands or wives, fathers or mothers, brothers or sisters), in the workplace (as "master" or "servant," in the different occupations), in the society (as citizen), in the church (as Christians, pastors, elders, members of the choir, the other tasks in the congregation).

Even within a single calling, we may have several vocations. The same person may be a wife to her husband, a mother to her children, a sister to her other siblings, a daughter to her parents.

In a job, a person may be a "master" to the people he supervises, and at the same time be a "servant" to his bosses. In our calling as citizens of our country, a person might be a ruler and a subject (being under the law), or a subject and a ruler (as in our democracy where our leaders are chosen by and are under the authority of the people).

Some particular estates or vocations take priority over others. If a Christian holds a governing office, and he is neglecting his family, then he should step down from his office. In fact, the same goes with a pastor (1 Tim 3:4,5). We consider the preaching office both spiritually as well as orderly, that is, in the order of creation. This is why Paul forbids women from teaching and preaching publicly (1 Tim 2:12-14; 1 Cor 14:34-37). Now, according to its specific task to preach the gospel, the office of pastor is the highest office (1 Tim 3:1; Heb 13:17). But according to creation, the office of parent takes the cake (LC I, 141).

Exodus 31:1-11

Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent the table and its articles, the pure gold lamp stand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you."