Vocation, what is that? Samuel Johnson's dictionary defines it as "calling by the will of God", modern dictionaries define it as a "sense of suitability for a career or occupation". Logan Pearsall Smith says "The test of vocation is the love of the drudgery it entails", a rather negative view perhaps.
We all think of famous or good people when we think of vocation - Florence Nightingale, St Francis of Assisi, Archbishop Tutu - and it's true that each one of them has fulfilled the calling of God in their lives.
You'll remember the story of Moses from our Sunday School days.
It goes like this....the Hebrews were living under the hammer of the Egyptians, and all male children born to the Israelites were to be killed. But Moses mother and sister were canny women - a small boat of tar and rushes was made for the baby Moses to float in the river, there he was found by the Egyptian princess.
Moses is one of history's most amazing characters. He was brought up as a son in Egypt's royal family, "educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and powerful in speech and action" (Acts 7:22). Yet he retained his identity with the Hebrews.
His choice must have been a traumatic one. Moses could be one with the wealthy and powerful, or one with the oppressed. But, confident in God, Moses took his stand with the people of Israel.
We can't tell what dreams the young Moses had of freedom for his people. But one day, when he was older, he went out among his people and watched them labour. Moses saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen. He looked about and when he saw no one around he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When Pharaoh heard of the incident he tried to kill him:
Moses commitment to his oppressed brothers had exploded in violence, he was forced to flee Egypt.
Moses travelled to Midian. That land was broad, with undefined borders. It included within its vast desert landscapes Mount Sinai and much of the wilderness through which Israel would later wander.
For 40 more years of his life Moses lives as a humble shepherd, a stranger, in a strange land. Finally at the age of 80, when his dream of freeing his people is long dead, God speaks to him and announces Israel's emancipation.
There are many things in this story that are unusual - he survived a massacre, he was raised as a royal Egyptian, he had divided loyalties, he was a murderer, his own people didn't recognise him as one of them, he was an exile and a shepherd - and yet this strange and flawed man was chosen by God to deliver Israel, God spoke to him. Moses replied "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
We know the outcome - Moses, with the help of his brother Aaron, lead the Hebrews out of slavery and eventually they enter the promised land.
Let me assure you that anyone who is called into specific service for God feels the same! All of us feel unworthy, daunted, even, when faced with God and the tasks he asks of us, but also irresistibly drawn.
Why do people like Kofi Anan put their lives and their futures at risk by visiting the likes of Iraq, why did a student stand in the path of a tank in China, why do nurses continue to nurse and teachers continue to teach against all odds? It is because those who stick at it have a vocation, it is because they believe in the good they can bring to the world - it is the fulfilment of their divine calling to do so.
There are many callings in life - not just in the professions but in ordinary things - every parent has a vocation, so do clowns and actors, reporters and garbage collectors.
There are many frustrations in vocation but also great joy, there's an African saying "the men will come singing from the fields, for they have provided for their own", it's hard work, but in the long term it brings it's own rewards - to know that you have served God to the best of your ability.
Often one has to accept failure in vocation because one is human and fallible but God continues to work his will, even thro' apparent failure.
Often, too, fulfilment of vocation can look like failure in life because other pleasures and normal pursuits take a back seat.
There are many vocations in the church, from those who clean, arrange flowers, sing in the choir, play the organ, serve in the sanctuary as acolytes, act as sides-people to our intercessors, wardens and readers - need I go on - everyone who serves the church in any capacity is serving God. It may be however that God is calling you to greater or different forms of service in his Church. It is never too late to be called - Moses was called at 80.
Vocations other than the one's I've listed are also open to normal everyday people - Lay Reader's, Deacons and Priests were, and are, ordinary people like you who have been called by God to fulfill a specific purpose in His plan.
You don't have to be perfect, you don't even have to be good - Moses certainly wasn't! All you have to do is keep the ears of your heart open to the still small voice of God and allow him to draw you on towards the burning bush.
Jesus came to fulfil His vocation - He came to finally redeem and perfect creation, but He alsohad to survive a massacre as a baby, live as a stranger in a foreign land - not just in Egypt but as God in a human body, His nation didn't recognise Him and questioned His authority despite His being their Shepherd.
Jesus expressed momentary doubt about what he faced as an example to us - and turned it over to His Father's will, He didn't do a runner!
Moses accepted (reluctantly, it has to be said,) God's will - why did he approach the burning bush in the first place? He could have said "none of my business mate, you just carry on burning!"
So often we ignore that gentle urging within us, because while we ignore it our lives don't have to change and we can potter on as we are, we all have our excuses "I'm too old, I'm too young, I'm too busy, I'm too inadequate", but God continues to prepare us for our task, just as he prepared Moses by his unusual life, we are equipped with the skills we need. Where would we be if others down the ages hadn't lived their vocations?
Jesus' vocation was to redeem His creation - only He could do that - and He continues to call us to carry on His work, each of us has our own task!
Make space in your lives to listen to the urgent whisper inside you;
we all need to lay aside our egos, inadequacies and busyness, as Moses left his sandals, and step onto the holy ground where we are invited to stand. We do this through prayer, worship and silence. In this way you will hear what God is asking you to do for Him. Be ready to take up the challenge which has been passed down through the ages, in the footsteps of Our Lord and the power of the Holy spirit. Remember God doesn't expect you to do it on your own - he's always there to support you.
O Thou, who art the light of the minds that know thee;
and the strength of the wills that serve thee;
Help us so to know thee that we may truly love thee,
so to love thee, that we may fully serve thee, whom to serve is perfect freedom;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
