I was intrigued by the title of P&R Publishing‘s latest, well, pamphlet, in their Basics of the Faith series. What Is Vocation? deals with the important topic of how we in America (specifically) view the concept of work.
I knew this title was on its way to my doorstep but I didn’t look at the page count and therefore was surprised to discover it was a mere 31 pages. As I said – it’s a pamphlet but it’s sleek looking and it packs a punch!
Author Stephen J. Nichols quickly examines our typically lazy society who look for ways to avoid work. He says we confuse and try to differentiate between the words “work” and “vocation” when, in actuality, they should be considered one and the same.
Nichols goes to the Bible and argues his case that we should look at our work (i.e., our “jobs”) as something that should be cultivated for the glory of God. In today’s day and age, we grow frustrated with our “work” and try to separate it from our life. We live for weekends and holiday breaks instead of being delighted by fulfilling the tasks and jobs that God has set before us to do. Nichols is not arguing against times of rests or vacations, mind you. He is just trying to help his readers put things in the proper perspective. First and foremost, he is arguing that work is GOOD. To work is Biblically correct. We aren’t to view where we spend our “working hours” as just “putting in time.” Rather, our vocation is something that we can take delight it and as an extension of our lives and who we are.
I’m trying to make his argument as simplistic as possible for purposes of this review – and it IS simple. And yet talking about work and seeing it as part of who we are is not really something we’re programmed to want to think positively about. Today’s society tries to find the easy way out of everything. We’re on the lookout for the next “quick fix” to any problem which we might come up against when it comes to getting our job done so that we can clock out. Even stay-at-home moms do this! Complaining about work is not an exclusive right and privileged of those who haul brief cases around. We stay-at-home moms can find plenty of reasons why we’d rather not haul the laundry basket around all day long. Dishes? Mopping up spilled drinks and wiping runny noses? I don’t know about you but some days I can spend quite an extraordinary amount of time watching the clock, willing it to announce that bedtime has arrived.
I’ve forgotten that work – good, hard work – is a blessing and not a curse.
“If God designed us this way – and He did – then it makes sense that when we are doing what God made us to do, we will be fulfilled and satisfied and happy. Work, then, is far more than a duty: work can actually bring pleasure. It doesn’t have to be the drudgery that it is so often painted as being.” (pages 13-14)
What Is Vocation? is a much needed resources for today’s society. It demands that we look at the attitude behind why we do what we do – and to make corrections where necessary.
Like I said, at 31 pages it won’t take you much time to read. However, it will give you information to process and digest. It’s a mental boost, a spiritual re-charge and a good examination tool to see if we’re putting God first – even in our work.
Thanks, P&R Publishing, for sending this little gem my way!
Carrie enjoys discussing topics relating to her Christian faith. She provides book reviews from a Christian worldview (quite) regularly at ReadingtoKnow.com.
Petula says
That sounds like a good, quick and interesting read. Purposeful and helps the reader do a little self exploration.