After reading this is our calling I have been keen to look into and reflecting on what is calling Vs vocation? This is my findings
In the bible, the word " call" is used most often to refer to god's initiative to bring people to Christ and to participate in his redemptive work in the world. This sense of calling is especially prominent in the letters of Paul,whether or not the word "call" is actually used. People would receive "callings" from God to be pasters, priests, and missionaries, while other occupations would simply be considered vocations.
Your vocational calling is a Summons from God to use your gifts in the world, whether it be within paid employment, the home, or volunteer activities.
Vocation could be work that is outside your wage- earning sphere of activity. For example, a businessperson might have a vocation as a youth sponsor or Sunday school teacher. A teacher might have a vocation as a mentor or worship leader. But vocation may also coincide with career or grow out of a specific career path.
I hope that I can now define the meaning of call and vocation, and how they can apply to our every day faith.
I still have a deep desire to be doing more than I am now. A daily job to serve God within the community. My vision and what seems to fit in place is to be a vicar, to develop the church to meet the needs of younger people. I believe my desire is just getting greater and stronger the more I think of it. It feels as though God is nudging me and this is my calling.
I went for a walk around hartshorne a while ago and thought
where is god now and where is he in creation and the church? How do people connect to God. Looking around the answers are that god is everywhere. He is part of everything. He is that wind that blows on your face, the flower on the ground growing, the raindrops falling down. He is there for a person praying in there homes, church and congregation. He is in the community working, he is in the local pub where a lonely person goes to have someone to talk to he is involved in schools learning and connecting with churches to educate the children.
God creates all there is for a specific purpose. If we wish to understand our place in this world we need to consider how scripture has described God's relationship to the world we live in.
God created the world and everything in it, and made humans like himself. Although we may not understand the complexity of just how he did it, it is clear that God did create all ife. This shows not only God's authority over humanity, but his deep love for all people.
God calls the world into being and all his subsequent calls are creative acts in which nature, communities and individuals are called into relationship with him.
From Alicia.
I've realized that I hear God talking to me most when I am out walking or cycling surrounded by God's creation - I love the way Alicia you describe how God is all around us - I often stop to look at a flower or a bee for a long time or feel the wind on my face whilst I marvel at what is around us.
Hello Alicia
I've been looking at calling and vocation today too...
I had never considered the thought of all parts of my life being a vocation for the Lord.
I very much felt that my job as a nurse was my vocation that I was called to at the age of 3.
As I've learned more about biblical views of vocation I've felt encouraged that all aspects of my faith and life can be considered vocation. My marriage (I led my hubby and children to Jesus, although some have fallen away for now).
So much of my life has followed God's guidance and instruction from his word and being supported and encouraged by other Christians. We are to love one another which includes supporting and encouraging others vocations too.