The opposite of vocation

Two weeks ago, I was leading an informal discussion with the local interfaith clergy group on one of my favorite topics, vocation discernment. I’m rather averse to concise definitions of these terms, preferring “descriptions” instead, for example:

• “Vocation is bringing who you are to something you’re a part of.”
• “Vocation is who you are and the way you live, not ‘what you do.’ “
• “Vocation is more a verb than a noun.”

So, I didn’t have a ready definitional answer to a question early in the conversation: “What’s the opposite of vocation?” If you’re not living your vocation (if that’s even possible), then what are you doing instead? I’m reminded of this question again–and the possible answers that surfaced in conversation–after this morning’s gospel.

As often happens, the sermon that got preached Sunday morning was NOT the one that had been taking shape throughout the week before. The one I actually preached was one I’ve been wanting to preach for a long time. To sum up: Living out our vocation is not just our response to the gospel; living out our vocation IS the gospel. In other words, serving God’s kingdom and our neighbors through living out God’s call with our time, talents, relationships, stuff, etc.–that’s not just our “grateful response to God’s grace” (to use Lutheran language). Rather, living out our callings is evidence of God’s grace, of God’s invitation to us to participate in the work of God’s kingdom: loving, peace-making, enjoying, serving, sharing, improving, beautifying, building, saving….

Today, finally, the lectionary text reminded me of this message. (This is the blessing and sometimes the frustration of the lectionary’s discipline: unlike blogging, I don’t get to preach on something just because it’s on my mind.) Mark 1 has this abrupt transition between Jesus’ proclamation of the good news (“The time is fulfilled! The kingdom of God has come near!”) and his stroll on the lakeshore with the fishermen, calling them to follow. A letdown at first–Jesus is ushering in the kingdom, and the best he can do is fishermen?! But then comes the amazing realization that fishermen and all of us are “caught up” in God’s kingdom, and invited to use our gifts in its work. (You can read the sermon text here.)

Back to the opposite of vocation. I wonder if the opposite of vocation is Simon and Andrew, James and John waving at Jesus saying, “Thanks, but no thanks!” and going back to their fishing. So what does that look like in terms of your or my real life? Some possibilities here…can anyone think of others?

The opposite of living your vocation is…

• Consuming or acquiring as one’s highest goal (“the one with the most toys wins”)
• Living “asleep,” unaware of the ways the world breaks your heart and fills it with joy
• Being dehumanized and dehumanizing others–ignoring vocation’s reminder to see ourselves and others as “whole people,” not just roles
• Living as a victim, subject to the forces around you without exercising any conscious choices (even if the only choice you can make is your attitude)
• Self-preservation or security as one’s highest goals, leading to self-centeredness and fear

When I look at these notes again, it seems like another description of vocation might be in order: “Your vocation is the particular way you demonstrate love, and the special ways you give away the life you’ve been given.” I think of the transformation Jesus promises when he says, “Follow me and I will make you (turn you into)…” and I wonder if the transformation worked by grace is the change from

• consumption to generativity (something new being created, rather than entertainment or satisfaction being sought)
• victimization to empowerment
• “sleep” to awareness
• dehumanization to human connection
• self-preservation and self-centeredness to self-giving and compassion
• fear to fearlessness

Those all sound like good news (“gospel”) to me!