Have you ever wondered: What God is calling you to do with your life?
Not just in the big decisions, like career or ministry - but in the ordinary moments too: in our homes, our parishes, our communities?
The word vocation comes from the Latin "vocare" - to call. Every person has a vocation - a calling - to serve God and others in unique and meaningful ways.
Vocation is about God’s call — not just for some, but for all of us.
“Now large crowds were traveling with him, and Jesus turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is useful neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. If you have ears to hear, then hear!” Luke 14:25-35 NRSVue
This passage in Luke’s Gospel is a challenging passage. Jesus turns to the crowd and says: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” He speaks of hating family, carrying the cross, and giving up possessions—difficult words to hear. At first glance, these words seem harsh, stark and challenging. —even contradictory to Jesus’ command to love others. I found them difficult to truly understand and needed to explore them further.
The Gospel reminds us then that vocation always comes at a cost. To follow Christ may require us to lay aside certain ambitions, relationships, or comforts. It may call us into uncomfortable places, or to take up responsibilities we feel unworthy of. But Jesus insists: unless we are willing to let go of everything else, and listen to whatever He is calling us to do in His name, we cannot fully receive the life he offers.
The costliness of vocation is real—but so is its joy. Salt, when it keeps its taste, preserves and transforms. So, too, the person who embraces their vocation whatever that might be and in whatever shape it is expressed, brings life and flavour to the world.
Jesus finishes with the words “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” and an image of salt as useful, preserving, flavourful. Salt that loses its taste becomes worthless. Our vocation ordained or lay, indeed a church that keeps Christ at its centre, is to be salt and light in the world—to preserve, to flavour, to heal.
So – what is God shaping you for?
God calls people to different ministries:
• Some are called to ordained ministry - as deacons, priests, or bishops.
• Some are called to the religious life - to a rhythm of prayer and service in community.
• Many are called to lay ministries - teaching, pastoral care, music, administration, advocacy, community outreach, support of our parish through its daily rhythms.
But all are called to holiness and service - in families, workplaces, schools, and beyond.
At times you may feel like cracked clay. Wherever you are, and whatever your ministry is, God is still at work.
In truth, all of us together are the “laos” – the “whole people” of God. We are ‘living stones’ in the one edifice: the holy, catholic, and apostolic church of which we are a part. We are one body, one people.
Our vocation is never for ourselves alone. It is always for the building up of others, for the reconciling work of the kingdom, for the service of Christ’s body, the Church. Each of us is called to seek and serve Christ in all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Today, as we reflect on being known by God, shaped like clay, called in community, and invited to costly discipleship—may we ask:
Lord, what are you shaping me for?
And how can I answer your call today?
Associate Professor Jane Freemantle OAM is an Examining Chaplain within the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne and holds numerous lay positions within the Anglican Dioceses of Melbourne and Wangaratta including Lay Reader in the Diocese of Wangaratta.
