Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Devotion 2.3.16

The workplace, for the most part, is a place where we go to perform tasks in exchange for pay.  Most of us work in places where there are other people, and as such, there are people issues that arise from time to time.  Who decided to...?  How did that happen?  Will anyone take responsibility for...?  That gives rise to the other people issues.  "Hey, don't look at me, I was taking care of my business when that happened," we might hear.  Or, this oldie but goodie, "Hey, I tried to tell people that was going to happen."  These events might be rare in some places that know and respect the mission, and in others, the environment might be defined as toxic, where they happen all too frequently.  Yet, they happen where two or more are gathered because we are human.

We forget that the idea of "vocation" isn't one of "work," but one of being God's servant where you are planted.  Vocation is that idea of your calling in life (the root to the word is the same that brings you words like "voice" or "vocal").  As Christians, we are called to be lights where we live, work, and spend our time as sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, employees, friends, neighbors and other such tags.

Daniel understands this concept of vocation.  In chapter two of Daniel, we read that Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that was bothersome.  "...his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him." (2:1)  The king's men cannot interpret the dream.  "The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." (2:11)  The order goes out from the king:  "Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed." (2:11) Daniel, having been given the talent of interpretation from God (1:17), learns of the command and asks for an audience with the king.

Rather than take credit for his ability when he gains an audience with the king, Daniel states, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days." (2:27 and 28)

Rather than cast blame on the king's men and their false faiths, Daniel, through prayer and faith, goes to the king and lifts the king's eyes to the living God.  Daniel remembers his calling.  We pray that as we go about our various roles in life, we remember our true vocation, that of being Christ's disciples and using our talents he has given us to his glory.

Hope Men's Ministry

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