Job or Vocation?
What do you love about your job?
My first response is to shift my thinking: what I do is not a job. It is a vocation.
According to the Oxford dictionary: "Vocation" is firstly about having a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. Secondly, it is a person’s employment or main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication.
Whereas a “job” is described as typically aimed at financial stability.
I dedicate this reflection to Bishop Vicars Short.
Following are some personal answers to the above question, not in any particular order:
• Privilege.
Nearly every day I am reminded of the privilege and honour I have in my vocation; of the privilege and honour in listening to people share the most significant times or moments in their life—everything from birth to death, and all of life lived in-between—summed up in one word: gratitude.
• Learning opportunities.
In seminary (theological education) and continuing to this day—the challenge or gift of the opportunity to read and explore interpretations of Holy Scripture each week.
• Work environment.
Being surrounded daily with the presence of the Holy Spirit—daily entering a building that has been soaked in prayer—feeling the presence of the living God, Jesus Christ.
This is not unique to the present time.
It is the same Spirit shared when visiting ancient places of worship, or even a place remembered from childhood.
• Daily challenges.
Rarely does a day go by without a new experience or challenge—from the unannounced person appearing at the door (wanting to share a significant moment ranging from tragedy to celebration) to demands of technological learing curves!
• Professionals.
I have worked with various professionals who have shared experiences in this vocation.
During my field education and curacy, I received a true gift in Bishop Short’s having my ear every Sunday morning, prior to the 8:00 am Mass; his academia, his passion for pastoral and liturgical experiences.
I continue to draw on them regularly.
• Creative challenges.
It is reported that left-handed people have a creative edge in everyday life, and Parish ministry certainly requires the need to be creative—from challenges of reflecting with young children (and their honest questions) to challenges presented by the liturgical calendar’s regular shift in focus.
One needs to be creative! Some call it “need to be open to change.”
I find change to be “life-giving."
• Flexibility.
I have chosen flexibility as my last word for this "Friday Focus."
This vocation of Christian ministry provides me opportunity to work from anywhere!
COVID 19 gifted us with the idea of new approaches to worship, such as “pre-recording” worship services!
Never did I think that I would be standing out in the middle of a Saskatchewan "farm" field to share worship with my Vancouver Island parish!
I love my vocation!
Blessings.
Archdeacon Brian+
