Thursday, April 23, 2009

the balance in "vocation"

"If any that fear God shall complain that, although they have a calling, yet it is a hard and laborious one, which takes up too much of their time which they would gladly employ in other and better work, I answer that it is likely that the wisdom of Providence foresaw this to be the most suitable and proper employment for you; and if you had more ease and rest, you might have more temptations than now you have....Do not be slothful and idle in your vocations....And yet do not be so intent upon your particular callings as to make them interfere with your general calling. Beware that you do not lose your God in the crowd and hurry of earthly business" (Flavel, The Mystery of Providence, 77-79, emphasis mine).

Recently I was reminded of the children's song, "The Wedding Banquet," which is a song version of Matthew 22 (see here). This song shares how sometimes it is the ordinary things of life that keep people from the wedding feast (ie the Kingdom of God). Flavel's exposition on calling and vocation again reminded me of this fact. May we walk and work carefully, purposefully and watchfully.

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