How did God let you know your vocation?

[VerticalLiftEnjoyer]

I’m reading through “The Religious Tradesman” currently, and I’m wondering: how does God usually lead men to their vocations?

I remember reading through a couple threads on the matter, and y’all and the book seem to be on the same terms: vocation is largely an open pasture to the Christian with only restrictions being circumstances and sin. Ligonier reinforces this with two other check items: desire and competence.

I don’t have a quote, but I recall Martin Luther saying something that, if you choose a calling without the ideal of serving others (first & foremost), then you have a demon faith. Don’t quote me on that, I’m pretty sure he was talking about monks; but R.L. Dabney has something even more intense, saying that:

And that every Christian has been redeemed from his sin and death by the Saviour, for no other purpose than this, that he shall be that, and do that, by which he can best glorify his Lord, (Acts xxvi. 16; Eph. i. 6). These Scriptures, and a hundred others, plainly teach that the only condition of discipleship permitted by Christ to any believer is complete self-consecration to his service. In this the self-devotion of the minister is just the same as that of all other true Christians. If a Christian man proposes to be a teacher, physician, lawyer, mechanic, or farmer, it must be, not chiefly from promptings of the world or self, but chiefly because he verily believes he can, in that calling, best serve his heavenly Master. If he hath not this consecration, we do not say he is unfit for the ministry only, he is unfit to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. If any man think this standard of dedication too strict, let him understand at once that he is "not fit for the kingdom of God;" let him relinquish his delusive hope of salvation; let him at once go back among the dark company of Christ's enemies, on the ground scathed and riven by the lightnings of his wrath, and under the mountainous load of all his sins unatoned and unforgiven. There is no other condition of salvation. For did not Christ redeem the whole man? Did he not purchase with his blood all our powers, and our Whole energies, if we are his disciples?

With all this said: how did God lead you to your vocation? What were your considerations when applying for a job? What let you know that that was the one for you?

 

[davejonescue]

I’m reading through “The Religious Tradesman” currently, and I’m wondering: how does God usually lead men to their vocations?

I remember reading through a couple threads on the matter, and y’all and the book seem to be on the same terms: vocation is largely an open pasture to the Christian with only restrictions being circumstances and sin. Ligonier reinforces this with two other check items: desire and competence.

I don’t have a quote, but I recall Martin Luther saying something that, if you choose a calling without the ideal of serving others (first & foremost), then you have a demon faith. Don’t quote me on that, I’m pretty sure he was talking about monks; but R.L. Dabney has something even more intense, saying that:

With all this said: how did God lead you to your vocation? What were your considerations when applying for a job? What let you know that that was the one for you?

This is just my personal experience, but I think it could be various things depending on how you look at it.

For instance, many men consider, and rightfully so, their families to be the first and foremost ministries in their life. So for them, their careers may not necessitate fulfilling an occupational desire apart from garnishing the monetary compensation to provide for their families well. I say this because their are several factories in our town; i.e. 3M, Kohler, Superior; and I can only assume that many of the men and women that work there probably didnt dream of being factory workers, yet, since it is one of the highest paying jobs in our area; their families are well taken care of.

Another way some look at it, is the "tent-maker" view of employment. That is our employment is not necessarily to facilitate a godly vocation as much as it is to provide the necessary funds for life so that our lives outside of work can be focused on the Gospel (free of charge.) In this view, I think one would look at it as "a job is a job," with the intended goal of meeting the basic needs for survival, as not to burden the church; and then, spend their free time facilitating their ministerial endeavors. Paul gives no hint that his "working with his hands" was for any other reason than to provide for his needs; and those around him. Acts 20:34

Lastly, it is as you say; and I have heard it before. If it is not sin, and you desire to do it; do it; for often times these righteous desires are from the Lord. Many vocations include community helps. Teachers, police officers, social workers, doctors, construction workers; in fact, almost any employment within a community is facilitating some type of service that is helping ones neighbor. Some people though have a specific desire to do something specific; and in that case they need to pursue a particular route.

The thing is, that a Christian is a beam of light in every industry they may enter. While others may slack, the Christian doesnt. While others may cheat, the Christian doesnt. While others may rebel against managerial authority, the Christian doesnt. And the list can go on. I have been blessed to see the Lord, though, I often disregard my employment as "just a job," place me in positions within my industry (food service) that testify to his grace. For 10 years in the industry I thought I was just wasting away in the back of a kitchen, doing nothing with my life. Now, for the past almost 4 years I have been working in Assisted Living and Nursing Home kitchens as a cook; really in charge of taking what is given to me and trying to turn it into the best tasting food I can, which is a ministry in itself since food is a huge part of those facilities and the residents daily life. If it were up to me, I have always wanted to be a social worker; specifically dealing with homelessness. Yet, as society goes more "woke" how long would I last before I had to choose between my career and affirming LGBTQ, or Gender Fluidity, and the uprise of Housing First policies etc. that go against traditional behavioral modification and self-responsibility models of recovery? So, the Lord in his wisdom has put me in a field, as for now, where I do get to serve a vulnerable population; but instead of having to go to school for 6 years, he has taken the skills I already had, and applied them to my present vocation.

If you look at it from the aspect that you are a light; where ever you may end up you are going to radiate his glory. You are going to gnash the teeth of the wicked, and be a soothing balm to the afflicted. A genuine Christian cant help but minster, regardless what hill the Lord chooses to set you on top of.

 

[TheInquirer]

Providential opportunity initially. Since then it has been a very, very painful struggle with a lot of closed doors.

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

I love Dave's reply.

For me, prayer, priorities considered, and practical wisdom given my circumstances.

 

[alexanderjames]

The thing is, that a Christian is a beam of light in every industry they may enter. While others may slack, the Christian doesnt.

This thread has convicted me of slacking in my current job and using the justification that I don't enjoy it since I never had issues with diligence in previous employment. I am still a Christian and therefore I am repenting of this sin.

 

[davejonescue]

This thread has convicted me of slacking in my current job and using the justification that I don't enjoy it since I never had issues with diligence in previous employment. I am still a Christian and therefore I am repenting of this sin.

Oh I still have to struggle with this on the daily, I'm right there with you. We just had a "team meeting" at our work and the manager gave the list. My nature wanted to rebel, but then doesnt everybody? I think it is those little things that shine the light; while others do what they want; Christians do what is expected if not more, working not unto man, but unto the Lord. Also, I fear the consequences of him withholding grace. If I slack at work, why would he provide the grace to be good at what I do outside of it? And since I also try to be industrious in my free time as well, I need his Spirit working through me to produce what I cannot on my own.

 

[Solparvus]

I’m reading through “The Religious Tradesman” currently, and I’m wondering: how does God usually lead men to their vocations?

I remember reading through a couple threads on the matter, and y’all and the book seem to be on the same terms: vocation is largely an open pasture to the Christian with only restrictions being circumstances and sin. Ligonier reinforces this with two other check items: desire and competence.

I don’t have a quote, but I recall Martin Luther saying something that, if you choose a calling without the ideal of serving others (first & foremost), then you have a demon faith. Don’t quote me on that, I’m pretty sure he was talking about monks; but R.L. Dabney has something even more intense, saying that:

With all this said: how did God lead you to your vocation? What were your considerations when applying for a job? What let you know that that was the one for you?

I entered my initial vocation with no such conception as either Luther or Dabney describe. I got into business because I had a good opportunity to go to college. Had I been more diligent I probably would have chosen something other than I did. I also really struggled in my vocation because I didn't have the perspective I do now.

The perspective I wish I had back then is this: That vocations are for the manifestation of God's common grace. We live in a sin-cursed world, and we deserve nothing good, but a godly man pursuing a lawful vocation to the end of doing good to God's glory and his fellow man is an agent of God's common grace alleviations to man's deserved sufferings.

You do have an open pasture. There are bounds. For example, sinful callings are always off (which I know you know); but also, it depends on how God has gifted you. Think of what you are good at, what needs there are in the world, and where you can best be God's agent of common grace. There's some real latitude there; but keep that perspective. It'll help you to understand your work as truly spiritual and good.

 

[VerticalLiftEnjoyer]

If you look at it from the aspect that you are a light; where ever you may end up you are going to radiate his glory. You are going to gnash the teeth of the wicked, and be a soothing balm to the afflicted. A genuine Christian cant help but minster, regardless what hill the Lord chooses to set you on top of.

Not gonna lie, sometimes I feel convicted by conscience whenever I read your posts, especially this one since I kind of assume you’re going for a baptist-spiritual angle (“if you ain’t ministry you ain’t nothin’”), but I love this. Always struggled with, “well, how would such and such a thing glorify God? I’m just landing planes.”, and this just helped me open some doors, honestly.

How do you help people see that your diligence and compassion is from God in your work?

 

[davejonescue]

Not gonna lie, sometimes I feel convicted by conscience whenever I read your posts, especially this one since I kind of assume you’re going for a baptist-spiritual angle (“if you ain’t ministry you ain’t nothin’”), but I love this. Always struggled with, “well, how would such and such a thing glorify God? I’m just landing planes.”, and this just helped me open some doors, honestly.

How do you help people see that your diligence and compassion is from God in your work?

The thing I have noticed is that the world is really dark. And that unless there is some sort of supernatural grace involved, we too would be dark. But I think this manifests itself where ever the Christian is. And, people cant help but notice that certain behaviors are not natural. Also, though I am a Baptist, I have never come across the idea that "if you aint ministry you aint nothing," only that each Christian, whether they are involved in formal ministry are not are called to be ministers to the world in some way or another.

 

[ZackF]

He wouldn’t let me do anything else!!

 

[Challer]

I’m reading through “The Religious Tradesman” currently, and I’m wondering: how does God usually lead men to their vocations?

I remember reading through a couple threads on the matter, and y’all and the book seem to be on the same terms: vocation is largely an open pasture to the Christian with only restrictions being circumstances and sin. Ligonier reinforces this with two other check items: desire and competence.

I don’t have a quote, but I recall Martin Luther saying something that, if you choose a calling without the ideal of serving others (first & foremost), then you have a demon faith. Don’t quote me on that, I’m pretty sure he was talking about monks; but R.L. Dabney has something even more intense, saying that:

With all this said: how did God lead you to your vocation? What were your considerations when applying for a job? What let you know that that was the one for you?

Well, I was going to go into the military and was providentially hindered, as I'd written elsewhere. I'd had a mouse and keyboard in front of me for eight hours a day or more since I was 12 years old, so my Mother suggested I go into IT. I picked up a CompTIA A+ certification (followed by a Network+ and a few others) and that opened some doors for me. From there I became a career contractor, working for different companies every 3-12 months.

Interestingly, what led to my enrollment in seminary was to basically be a priest of the home, as Sam Waldron would've put it. I wanted to be better equipped to raise my family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I wanted to be able to answer the hard questions I knew raising kids in this day and age would require.

Anyway, that's how the Lord led me both the enroll in seminary and in choosing a career.

Proverbs 16:9 comes to mind regarding the whole journey.

 

[hammondjones]

I went college, and my choice of major was mathematics, which was 1) what I was good at, 2) what I liked, and 3) employable.

I also considered music as a major, which also fit 1) and 2) but I wasn't convinced of 3).

My first career-level job was taken somewhat out of necessity, as my wife was pregnant and almost anything was better then nothing, but still I sought a field that would be fairly quantitative and involve programming, etc.

 

[SolaScriptura]

For some men, God reveals his plan for them in that they are hungry and wish to eat, or cold and wish to be warm, and so they work whatever work becomes available as a means to provide for the necessities of life.

For me… it started with me getting mentored by my pastor and he saw a spark of potential usefulness. So he had me start helping out with various things. Then doing some ministry leading on a small scale (leading a section of Awanas, for instance) and then I noticed one day that I positively LOVED going to church and being with other Christians and that Sunday was my favorite day of the week. Then I found that I was a gifted (though inexperienced) teacher and that people enjoyed sitting under my teaching. I also saw that I had good organizational skills and personal presence so that events or programs I was in charge of were well run and people enjoyed them. Right about the time I was wondering if maybe I was being called to do this vocationally, people in my church started asking me if I’d considered the ministry. That was how it unfolded for me.

 

[earl40]

He wouldn’t let me do anything else!!

After 40 years of doing the same job in the same place I also have seen The Lord at work in my vocation. Not to say others have legitimate experiences differently than myself. I am struggling now in that after the loss I have recently experienced. I wonder if God wants me to go in a different direction. I am now taking the wise council to not make any rash decisions in tough personal times.