Vocation is a Latin word which is generally used to describe the sacred duties and responsibilities, concerning religious orders. Martin Luther was the first one to borrow the term from its religious context and to apply it to the contemporary occupations. The term vocation has already been accepted and recognized as a synonym of job or profession. Vocation is not just a borrowed Latin term to enrich the vocabulary; it comes from a belief that every profession or job that has a legitimate purpose is a calling from God. Moreover, each vocation asks for a set of skills, abilities and talent who are bestowed by God to the individuals who has been assigned the vocation to serve. The doctrine associated with the term vocation specifies that God is active in everyday matters and occupations, which are responsible for running earthly existence.
The doctrine that establishes the presence of God in everyday existence is easy to prove. It is a common practice to ask God for the daily bread. We also know that God gives it to us on the daily basis. However, God does not provide us bread directly; rather he has an indirect framework of processes, which ask for the series of vocations to make a system able to provide us bread on the daily basis. The vocations may involve, the farmers, bakers, supply drivers and many more. Furthermore, the concept signifies that God has assigned vocations to the individuals and in His supervision, we are served. In the same manner, we are assigned vocations to serve others in the presence of God. In the same manner, we ask for health when we are sick. God does cure us but in an indirect manner. He has assigned the concerned vocations to doctors, nurses and medical specialists. God through these vocations makes us better.
The active presence of God in the Christian faith has a fundamental importance. We, being Christians, strongly believe the presence of God in daily matters. Therefore, it reshapes our job responsibilities and takes them to a brand new level of empathy, and the duty God has assigned to us. For a true believer, the concept of active participation of God in every single profession can change the meaning of duties assigned.
After my graduation, I am planning to join the profession of medicine. I strongly believe that doctors and healthcare professionals are assigned with the holy vocation of cure for a distinct purpose. The doctrines associated with the medical vocation are not only asked to treat the individuals with care but are also responsible to recognize the holy duties assigned to serve the creation of God. Being the true followers of God, we are not just doctors, we are a level ahead and part of the system God has developed to serve the mankind. The interaction with the patient can be a normal routine for individuals who are non believers. However, for a true Christian who believes in God and knows the doctrines associated with his/her assigned vocation, it is a task from God. Therefore, it needs more attention and hard work. Sick individuals are not just a subject for us to cure. We believe that the sick person has another duty assigned by God, and He wants us to cure one of the components of his vast system.
A true believer always seeks a solution for others equally the way he seeks for himself. He cures others the way he wants to be cured in case of illness. He gives medicines which he too will be taking during the days of sickness. This empathetic mechanism is because of the belief that God is looking at us and we have to answer him about the wrong actions we took sooner or later.
The doctrines linked the vocation of medicine alter the traditional doctor patient relationship for a true believer, a sick person is not just a case but a work God wants him or her to do. He wants us to do our best and make reasons for his cure. No doubt, we are just to make our best, and He is the one who cures.
Medicine is a different field for a believer, we are told to feel the pain patient is feeling, and attend the patient like we want ourselves to be attended. This opens a new concept in the fiend of medicine. Our job responsibilities totally change when we function just for accomplishing the orders of God. Being a true believer, we believe that God has promised us for food and health and children. Therefore, there is nothing left to worry about. If we strongly believe in God, we are free from all these earthy desires.
We believe that He is the God who feeds insects in the stone, worm under the mud and fish under the snow. This leaves us nothing to worry. We are just supposed to do our tasks and accomplish the jobs for which we are brought into this world. We should be servants of God, which practicing our duties. We should also never forget that we are for a reason, and so we will be replaced. Therefore, we have to do our best in the limited amount of time.
Bibliography
Veith, Gene. "The Doctrine of Vocation: How God Hides Himself in Human Work." Modern Reformation.http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=541&var3=main (accessed September 20, 2013).
Kleinhans, Kathryn . "The Work of a Christian: Vocation in Lutheran Perspective." Work and Witness 25 (2005), http://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/issues.aspx?article_id=631 (accessed September 20, 2013).
"Page 1 Story of My Christian Faith and Vocation ." Calvin College - Minds In The Making. http://www.calvin.edu/admin/president/search/leroy-faith-story.pdf. (accessed September 20, 2013).
