Reformer Martin Luther affirmed the everyday stuff of life as “vocation.” Luther said that the vocation of being a parent is no less important than being a religious leader or devoting yourself to prayer or working in a seemingly more prestigious position. This wasn’t just an affirmation of the many humble tasks that our society calls “women’s work.” Luther specifically said to fathers that cleaning dirty diapers is nothing to be ashamed of — all work done in love is honored by God, is “vocation ”—a pretty edgy stance for a man of his day.
Vocation includes those things we do in response to God’s grace-filled gifts to us. God has called all kinds of people throughout time and continues to do so today. It’s about God bringing a new way of life into being, a way that we are able to see from time to time.
This message is adapted from “Who do I want to be right now?” written by Joy McDonald Coltvet that first appeared in the January 2008 issue of Café magazine.