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How is the Lord using you to bless the lives of others in your vocation? Do we often find ourselves struggling to connect our worship on Sunday with our work on Monday? Are we actively applying our calling as followers of Christ to the common-day marketplace with our gifts and talents? Are we stimulating spiritual maturity and growth by encouraging prayer, studying the Word of God, and receiving His sacraments with those around us?
We are so blessed at St. Paul’s to have our pastors, teachers, and church workers who equip and teach us so that we may have the opportunity to teach and encourage others in our vocations. Regardless of our credentials or backgrounds, we are all called to ministry.
Let us be reminded that many of the greatest people in the Bible were placed in the common-day marketplace — they were farmers, shepherds, fishermen, government employees, and others. They had ordinary jobs, but they still did great things for God; they had the heart for Him, working heartily for Him rather than for people (Colossians 3:23). Each of us is to purposefully use our gifts and talents so that we, too, can do great things for God!
Though it may not be easy in the “trenches” or the “daily grind” to share the love of Christ with those in our everyday lives, we must not worry or be afraid; rather, we should be ready to explain our hope as believers, gently and respectfully (1 Peter 3:15-16), and teach these things with intent. We must make ourselves readily available to minister to all by listening, learning, loving, and lamenting with one another. Let us be a resource to others in our vocations — the hands and feet of Jesus — to continually be an example to all, as disciples, as followers of Christ, in the mission field of the marketplace.
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