~ by Rev. Dr. Tamara Mitchell

This article was originally published in PCJH’s  Winter / Spring 2027 Pinnacle, “Faith Beyond Sunday”

When we hear someone talk about being “called,” we may think of a pastor or someone who has devoted their life to Christian ministry. Or maybe we think about our own careers, the work we have chosen, the talents we possess, or the responsibilities that fill our days. But what if your calling is something much broader? What if it is not reserved for a select few, but is part of what it means for all of us to follow Jesus Christ?

The word “vocation” comes from the Latin word vocare, meaning “to call,” and is closely related to vox, meaning “voice.” I love that connection. It reminds us that at the heart of vocation is not a job description, career path, or even a particular ministry. It is a voice—the voice of God calling us into relationship with Himself and inviting us to participate in His work in the world.

From the very first verses of Genesis, we encounter a God who speaks. God calls the universe into being out of nothing. Again and again, God speaks and creation comes to life, and God declares it good. The voice of God creates, gives life, and sustains all things. It is also the voice that calls us by our own name (Isaiah 43:1).

This is where our understanding of vocation needs to begin: not with what we are called to do, but who calls us. Before we ask, “What should I be doing with my life?” or “What color is my parachute?” we might ask a more fundamental question: What does it mean to belong to the God who knows us and calls us to follow him? Our gifts and strengths matter, of course, but they are not the starting point. Our calling begins in relationship with Jesus Christ, and willingness to serve him.

Called to Christ, Called to Flourish
In his book Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today, Mark Labberton reminds us that Christian calling begins with Jesus. When Jesus invited His first disciples to follow Him, He did not give them a job description or a five-year plan. He simply said, “Follow me.” That invitation transformed how they understood themselves, their neighbors, and the world. It is the same invitation extended to us today. Labberton helps us think about vocation in terms of flourishing. By Christian flourishing, he means something far richer than success, productivity, or even personal happiness. We flourish as our lives become rooted in Christ and increasingly reflect His love, generosity, faithfulness, and grace. Jesus’ image of the vine and branches in John 15 offers a beautiful picture: fruit grows as the branches remain connected to the vine. Flourishing is not something we manufacture by trying harder. It grows from our relationship with Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

And remember, flourishing does not mean life is easy. Seasons of grief, uncertainty, disappointment, and change can also become places where God forms us. Whether we are
beginning a career, raising children, caring for someone we love, or entering retirement, our fundamental calling remains the same. We never retire from following Jesus.

The Sacredness of Ordinary Life
One of the great gifts of the Protestant Reformation was its recovery of the understanding that vocation belongs to every Christian. Martin Luther challenged the notion that religious work was somehow more sacred than ordinary work. John Calvin, elaborating on Luther, strongly emphasized that people should serve God faithfully in the varied responsibilities and circumstances of everyday life. All our work is holy work.

Think of the parent patiently helping a child with homework, the neighbor checking on someone who is lonely, the nurse responding to an emergency, or the business owner leading their company with ethical integrity. These are not distractions from Christian vocation; rather they may be the very places where our faith takes shape. There is no part of our lives in which God is absent or uninterested.

There is also something important we need to remember. It’s easy to get caught up in measuring our lives by what we accomplish, how successful we become, or how much we contribute. Sometimes we even confuse these things with being faithful to God. But theologian Robert Paul reminds us that our calling, whatever it may be, should always be rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Our worth isn’t measured by our accomplishments or productivity, but by the simple truth that we belong to Him. And whatever work we do, whether great or small, becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and care for others.

A Missional Life
This understanding leads us naturally to what it means to be a missional church. We sometimes hear “mission” and think immediately of overseas trips, helping the poor, or supporting charitable organizations. Those ministries are vital, but being missional is much bigger than participating in a church program. It means recognizing that God is already at work in the world and that we are invited to participate in what God is doing.

Think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s vision of a Christian life fully engaged with the world. Faith does not call us to withdraw from ordinary life. Nor does it ask us to accept everything about the world as it is. Following Jesus means noticing those who are overlooked, questioning what is unjust, and responding with compassion, courage, and love.

 Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21, NIV). We gather as the church to worship, pray, hear Scripture, share the sacraments, and encourage one another. Then we are sent – into our homes, workplaces, classrooms, board rooms, neighborhoods, and communities. We are called, formed, and sent. Often this begins with paying attention. Who needs encouragement? Where do we see suffering? How might we extend hospitality or speak up for someone whose voice is not being heard? Where is God already working, and how might we join God’s mission? These, too, are questions of vocation. Ordinary places become opportunities to participate in God’s extraordinary work of love and redemption.

One Body, Many Gifts
Of course, none of us is called to do everything. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul describes the church as one body with many members. Each brings different gifts, and each matters to the whole. Some teach, some lead, some encourage, and some quietly recognize needs the rest of us miss. No one person can carry God’s mission alone. Together, our gifts become expressions of God’s love in ways we could never accomplish by ourselves.

At the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, our mission is “Life Together: Rooted in Christ, Reaching Out in Love.” I cannot think of a better expression of vocation. Rooted in Christ, we are nourished and formed as God’s people. Reaching out in love, we carry Christ’s love into all the places we live our lives – not only through the organized ministries of the church, but throughout the other six days of the week.

Perhaps the question is not simply, “What extraordinary thing is God calling me to do?” but “Where is God inviting me to live more faithfully today?” It might be in a difficult conversation, a relationship that needs healing, a chance to serve, or a quiet act of kindness no one else will see. In a world filled with voices telling us what to achieve and how to measure our worth, there is another voice calling us – the voice of Jesus saying, “Follow me.” We are called to Christ, formed in Christ, and sent by Christ. And together, with our many gifts and different vocations, we are invited to flourish in His life and love – not just on Sundays,
but every day.  ✝