VOCATION VS COMMON THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES
Meaning of Vocation
Scholastic interpretation of vocation
Personal perception of work
Personal belief on vocation
Influence of my past on my thoughts regarding work
Christian perspective regarding work
Personal thoughts regarding vocation VS occupation
Concluding remarks
According to numerous scholars including Hahnenberg, (2010) vocation refers to one’s calling as opposed to the term ‘occupation’ which is a reference to an occupied position that a person may have. A person’s vocation, therefore, implies that they strongly believe that they have been created to achieve a certain purpose in life as biblical scholar Smith, (2011) opines. Consequentially, a vocation carries with it some level of purpose, divine guidance and meaning compared to an occupation which is regarded as a means of getting a paycheck as Sherman, (2011) documents.
Personally, I perceive work as a divine mandate by God which was given to man at the Garden of Eden. However, I also believe that men ought to ‘work’ (eke out a living) by fulfilling their divine and unique mandates. Unlike common Christian beliefs such as that which was prevalent in the early church which largely perceived ministry work as vocation, I believe that divine assignments (vocations) can take varied forms. This view is equally echoed by Duffy & Sedlacek (2010) who observe that by serving the society using our unique and God-given gifts, we fulfill our vocations or callings in life. These views resonate with Cahalan, (2010) who observes that in as much as not every person can be a minister of the word; everybody can use their gifts in serving others and thereby fulfilling their callings in life. However, having been brought up in a largely Christian home, I have always believed that one’s calling equates to ministry work as defined in the five folds ministry in Ephesians 4:11 (Bible, KJV, 2010 ). Due to this belief system, I have always perceived work as merely a means of earning a living, but that true fulfillment of one’s destiny lies in ‘the calling’ or one’s vocation. Over time, this viewpoint has been true to me. However, I have come to realize that one’s vocation can be fulfilled outside of church service or ministry work. Indeed, the apostle Paul in the book of 1 Corinthians 12:28 (Bible, KJV, 2010) echoed these sentiments my listing several services saints can engage in service to God and thereby fulfilling their callings in life. Therefore, whether engaged in occupation ‘secular work’ or ‘calling’ vocation, we are all fulfilling our life’s purposes. However, this can only be true if one is convicted that what they are doing is in line with their gifts and or strong convictions. Otherwise, they will be merely occupying space-occupation.
References
Bible, H. (2011). King James Version (KJV). London: Collins.
Cahalan, K. A. (2010). Introducing the Practice of Ministry. liturgical Press.
Duffy, R. D., & Sedlacek, W. E. (2010). The salience of a career calling among college students: Exploring group differences and links to religiousness, life meaning, and life satisfaction. The Career Development Quarterly, 59(1), 27-41.
Hahnenberg, E. P. (2010). Awakening vocation: A theology of Christian call. Liturgical Press.
Sherman, A. L. (2011). Kingdom calling: Vocational stewardship for the common good. InterVarsity Press.
Smith, G. T. (2011). Courage and calling: Embracing your God-given potential. InterVarsity Press.
