Martha Carlough
Brief review
Genesis 2:15, 19-20
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work and take care of it….” “Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So, the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.”
WORK IS GOOD. God created us to be partners with Him in his creative and redemptive work on earth. We are to engage in the work we do “with all of our heart” (Col 3:23). God’s chosen ones will “long enjoy the works of their hands”. (Isaiah 65:22)
VOCATION ENABLES US, IN RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF GOD TO EMBRACE WHATEVER IT IS THAT GOD WOULD HAVE US BE AND DO IN THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD. Our confidence is not in our ability to listen (figuring it out) but in God’s ability to SPEAK.
DIFFERENT USES OF “CALLING”:
- FIRST AND FOREMOST WE ARE CALLED TO BE CHRISTIANS (TO LIVE BY FAITH, TO TRUST AND OBEY GOD, AND TO LIVE INTO OUR SALVATION)
- WE ARE CALLED TO FAITHFULNESS IN THE DAILY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES – CARING FOR FAMILY, SERVING, HOSPITALITY….
- WE ARE INVITED BY GOD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, CONSISTENT WITH WHO WE HAVE UNIQUELY BEEN CREATED TO BE
ALL VOCATIONS ARE POTENTIALLY SACRED. RESPONSIBLE CHRISTIAN LIFE INCLUDES STEWARDSHIP OF OUR GIFTS AND CAPACITIES. We have talked about how these may be clarified in different stages of life (age wise as we mature, as we cope with the responsibilities of life, with change/loss). And we don’t always get to “live out” our vocation through a particular occupation. (Cathedral story). Vocation is fulfilled within the limitations of life. But the essence of what God desires for us is that we live in congruence with who we are – considering our talents and capacities, our temperament, where we know joy, and where we feel the brokenness of the world.
Ps 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart”
Ps 16:5-6 “Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Ps 16:11 – “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Ecclesiastes 2:24 – “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see if from the hand of God.”
We come to know ourselves within community. (Romans 12) – ?exercise….three things in the last week that gave you JOY and three events/interactions that you had trouble approaching with wholeheartedness, or that caused anxiety or “fatigue”. Make it a goal to talk about these with a few people in your life before next week – a good friend, a spouse, a close work colleague, your grandmother
VOCATIONAL INTEGRITY – WORK IS GIVEN TO US BY GOD AND IS OFFERED BACK TO GOD….
2 TIMOTHY – This as a letter by an “elder”, Paul (starts out with a BLESSING given from someone in that third stage of life…) who writes to Timothy encouraging him to fulfill his calling with excellence, truth, diligence and generosity.
I thank God for you, I long to see you. I am reminded when I think of you of your family (where you came from – your grandmother, your mother…). I want to remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which you received through the laying on of hands (in community).
Don’t be ashamed to testify of the faith – we have been called to a holy life through the grace of Christ (first calling…). Guard what has been entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
2 Tim 2:2 – “And these things which you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (one of my life verses)
EXCELLENCE – (2 Tim 2:15) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman proud of his work. Do this unto the LORD. Luke 12:48 – “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required…”
“shadow side” of this might be perfectionism or control
TRUTH (2 Tim 2:15 – 2nd part) –As one who handles the words of truth (warns Timothy against gossip, wandering away from truth…).
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter he will be an instrument of noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (v. 20-21) All vocations are sacred. God prepares and uses us…but we need to be living holy lives in preparation for this.
v. 23-25 – Do work through gentleness, kindness and patience.
2 Tim 3:16-17 – “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate; equipped for every GOOD WORK.”
“shadow side” of this might be fundamentalism – blinds us to graciousness and generosity and the reality that others may be on different places in their walk.
DILIGENCE
2 Tim 4:2 – “Preach the word. Be prepared in season and out of season – correct, rebuke, encourage – with patience and careful instruction…..Keep your head in all situations. Endure hardships.” Our work shouldn’t depend on daily affirmation from others. Wholeheartedness.
Shadow side – Hectic over-activity, OR acedia (sloth, lack of caring)
GENEROSITY
4:6 – “For I have been poured out like a drink offering….I have fought the good fight and kept the faith”. Generous service, freely given; not for what Paul would receive back.
We all can’t be generous in all things.
Parker Palmer – “Though God loves everyone, I am not called to be the means by which everyone knows and experiences this love.” How we are touched by a particular brokenness in the world? True generosity empowers those we serve (not creating dependency) and brings joy to the giver.
Shadow side – creating dependency, need for affirmation and acceptance
Life in community – do your best to come quickly….loads of folks have left me. Get Mark to come too as he’ll be useful. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus and my scrolls. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
Four sustained practices of the church:
- Generous hospitality – act of welcoming Christ into our lives
- Advocacy for the poor – share in brokenness and God’s inbreaking kingdom
- Generous giving – engaging in work of the world
- Intercessory prayer – affirm that God is at work
Add to this community worship and SABBATH…
Blacknall's PCF Community 