Embracing Your Callings
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17).
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24).
The letters of the Apostle Paul often follow a similar pattern. He begins by proclaiming the theological good news of Jesus Christ into whatever theological or congregational problems are troubling a church. He then moves to the “practical” side of things exhorting and encouraging his fellow believers in their Christian life. You can almost summarize this pattern as a theological exposition and then a theological application. Really what Paul seems to be doing is preaching the Gospel of Jesus, and then asking, “If this is true, then how shall we live?” Paul always desires that the good news of Christ and the free gift of salvation will shine into every corner of our lives.
We see this in Colossians. Paul spends the first two chapters of the letter proclaiming the “Supremacy of Christ,” which is a fancy way of saying that Jesus Christ is the one and only source of salvation, who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and delivered us into His kingdom of light (See Colossians 1:13). Once this truth is proclaimed, Paul asks, “If this good news of Jesus is true, then how shall we live?” At which point he spends two more chapters applying this truth to our lives in both general AND in specific ways. He talks about the new life and hope that we have in Christ. He reminds us each day to “take off” the soiled and dirty clothes of sin and to “put on” the fresh clothes of forgiveness, as we are covered not only by Christ’s righteousness but also by gifts of His love, His mercy, and His grace. Since we have been clothed with the “Supremacy of Christ,” we are therefore sent to love as Jesus has loved, to serve as Jesus has served, to forgive as Jesus has forgiven.
These truths apply to ALL Christians, and yet Paul is not happy to leave these truths to be “generically spoken.” Paul desires that they be “specifically applied.” Near the end of Colossians 3, Paul begins to speak to our nearest and dearest relationships. He speaks to husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees.
In our culture, we often hear encouragement to “be kind” or to “love others,” but what does that look like in real life? Jesus did not love us generically. He loved us specifically. Paul does not stop after Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Sure enough, it is true that there are many things we can do in word or deed. Sure enough, there are many ways that we can serve others in love. And yet, it is only within specific relationships, specific interactions, specific roles, that love and grace and mercy become “real” in our lives. Neither Paul nor Jesus call us to “generic” kindness. They call us to specific kindness. So, where is Jesus encouraging you to embrace your uniquely specific callings? Where is Jesus encouraging you to consider your place in life? Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Where is Jesus inviting you to rediscover your “vocation”?
I’ve always appreciated the words of Max Lucado on this topic, “Many people dread their work. If you’re one of them, try changing your attitude toward your work! God’s eyes fall on the work of our hands. One stay-at-home-mom keeps this sign over her sink: “Divine tasks performed here, daily.” Indeed, work can be worship. Peter wrote, “You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God.” (1 Peter 2:9). So, let every detail in your life—your words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus. (Colossians 3:17)” (Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life).
May the love of Jesus Christ be at work in your life this day. May He fill you with awe and wonder of His amazingly specific grace toward you. May He continue to work into every corner of your life the good news of His grace that it may refresh you and renew you for service in His kingdom. Amen!
God’s Peace,
Pastor Kurt Ebert
