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Can one exist without the other?

Today's thought:
In Undergrad, I had to take a class that debated between calling and vocation. I now ask YOU to think about that difference.

Story time:
I have a friend who is a doctor. During the day, she saves lives and helps people. She loves doing that and it also helps with her expenses (Vocation).
When she comes home and closes her eyes, she asks God to take her to the secret places and hidden spaces (Isa 45:3). She believes that when she does this, God will reveal His plans for her life (Calling).

Here's more to think about on that topic.
The question is whether we should simply (a) Bring Him in the dedication of our work to Him, in the integrity, diligence and humility with which we do it or also (b) Make His professed and explicit service our job. The A vocation rests on all men whether they know it or not; the B vocation only on those who are specially called to it. Each vocation has its peculiar dangers and peculiar rewards
-from letters to Sheldon Vanauken

As Christians, sometimes we spend so much time thinking and discussing about the B vocation that we forget that not all are called to it. During that time, we also shift our focus from A vocation which puts food on the table. In your opinion what is the difference between calling and vocation? Can one exist without the other?

Comments

  1. All need a break and some analysis time to refresh and find where we stand

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  2. Both should b done with prayer...ma...
    Are u aright?...missing ..u...

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  3. Both should b done with prayer...ma...
    Are u aright?...missing ..u...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Faith is a work in progress.

    Calling is something you are choosen to do by the Jesus,although is might take a few years for you be ready to do it. He wants your totality with having love and compassion only through this value,you will understand a person agony and sorrow then heal them and commitment to it.

    Voccation is a choice someone makes often times when we enter into a voccation or a calling ,we tend to give our blessing way, that we have like having a job,which enables to provide food on the table . Then we blame God for it by saying,lord i gave my all to you but you did not provide my needs. The reality is that he has given it to is before entering into it,we have to be able to balance it and commit through the voccation or the callings.

    Sometimes,A and B goes in hand in hand he sees your dedication through A and used it through B to do his will. In Genesis 17:11 Gods as to Abraham,I am Elohim walk before and be perfect. I will b establish my convent between me and you and i will mutliply you exceedingly.

    In that same way the lord will lead us to the path when he knows,when we are ready.

    Thank for the food for though Ms Sharon.It is lovely sharing thoughts on this topic.

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  5. There is a complete difference between calling and vocation.You will have to go through much of the scriptures to know what is actually you mean as calling. Plan A and B cant go hand in hand. only if we understand the pure grace of God in our life we wont find the vocation as our dedication but a gratitude to God for what he has kept us for which is the secret of our calling

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  6. There is a complete difference between calling and vocation.You will have to go through much of the scriptures to know what is actually you mean as calling. Plan A and B cant go hand in hand. only if we understand the pure grace of God in our life we wont find the vocation as our dedication but a gratitude to God for what he has kept us for which is the secret of our calling

    ReplyDelete
  7. Calling is from God and vocation is someone's choice. This is the main difference.

    The doctor can be in her vocation if she do not receive the call. In this case vocation can exist without calling.

    If she receives the call, she has to do her vocation by His will. This makes her vocation a called vocation. In this case they both exist together.

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  8. Hi sharon,
    Basically am not born n bought up in Christian family. But I took Jesus to b my personal saviour.
    Coming to the topic, there is a great difference between vocation n calling. Allen part, a gospel speaker says that, "if a non-believer can do the work, that believers are doing(in this case treating patients), he hesitates to call it to be CALLING. In one of his videos he gives 6main differences between calling n vocation(career, which brings food on table)
    1.vocation involves natural talents, whereas calling involves spiritual gifts.
    2.vocation is to please the head(boss or patients), calling is to please god.
    3.vocation is something we CAN do, calling is something we MUST do.
    4.vocation can change, calling will never change
    5. In Vocation, we get earthly rewards, calling results in eternal rewards.
    6. Vocation results in advancement of the post or possession, calling results in advancement of the kingdom of God.

    Even in the case of Jesus, he was a carpenter by Vocation but saviour by calling. In case of Paul, he was a tentmaker by Vocation, but apostle by calling. In case of Jesus disciples, fishermen by career, but "fishers of men" by calling.

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  11. There is a calling in everybody's life. Everybody is called to glorify his name by living life pleasing to God and spread the message of Jesus Death and Resurrection. The Doctor glorifies God and stands as testimony to many people, he neednot be a minister/preacher to spread God's message. Therefore, being Doctor is his calling. Again in the example, she neednot ask God to reveal His plan for her as she is already living the plan (Doctor). Therefore, for believers, there is no 2 words called - vocation and calling.

    If you submit to his calling, God will take care of all your needs especially basics like food, clothing and shelter.

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  12. We shall consider Calling is purely for ministry. Vocation i.e a strong desire for a particular proffession is also given by God. As Planets revolve around the sun our life also revolves around HIM. Without HIM you might not have known your vocation. Without HIM you will not be in your vocation. You are there in your vocation because HE has planned it in your life. To be precise it is HE who gives you the desire, it is HE who prepares you for that place, it is HE who moulds you during your waiting period, it is HE who finally puts you in that place with a purpose for a particular period(partly or fully), it is HE who makes you to complete your role in that place and finally it is HE who makes you to do your full time ministry(Calling). In each step of your life GOD perfects everything and prepares you for the next step. Vocation is also a step before full time minisry which you have been called to do.

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