Christian Call
Psalm 41, 52 • Psalm 44
Isa. 8:16-9:1 • 2 Pet. 1:1-11 • Luke 22:39-53
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
In today’s passage from 2 Peter, the “Christian Call” is framed as something already laid out for us, patiently awaiting the moment when we fulfill God’s vision for the world by stepping into that vision ourselves. When we discover, accept, and live into those callings, we become “participants of the divine nature.”
Discerning vocation and call is something we spend a lot of time discussing in the Episcopal Church. We host retreats, assemble committees, offer spiritual direction, and publish literature all designed to help one discern their “calling” in the world. When done well, these resources help strengthen our community by empowering individuals to live out God’s intentions for their lives.
Jesus followed a big call. In the passage from Luke, we hear about Jesus retreating to a quiet place to sit with the reality of what was being asked of his life; what following a call meant for his future. Even though full of anxiety (“Father…take this cup from me”), he knew what the world hungered for, what he could fulfill by living out God’s divine plan.
Living into a call isn’t always so dramatic. This past week, I watched as members of the Flower Guild assembled a large floral arrangement together. With every careful, quiet placement of a stem, I saw people living into a call to make the world a more beautiful and intentional place. Surely, this is divine in nature.
When I am offered the gift of witnessing deep fulfillment in others, whether on a cross or by a flower vase, I am reminded that God holds that vision for my life too. Where is deep hunger around me, and what brings me deep gladness? Where and what am I called to? Peter urges us to be eager to confirm that call, whatever it looks like. When we do, a world awaits in which “we will never stumble.”
Written by Emma Mitchell
When not serving the youth and families at St. Paul’s as the Youth Director, Emma enjoys a good craft project, a thrifting adventure, and hanging out with her husband Dave and small menagerie of animals.