Sunday, September 20, 2026
“How clear is our vocation, Lord, / When once we heed Your call: / To live according to Your Word / And daily learn, refreshed, restored, / That You are Lord of all / And will not let us fall.”
Individuals who are especially skilled in their work or show special dedication in helping others are said to have a “calling.” It is a description that fits all of us. Each of us has a calling, or vocation and, in fact, we have multiple vocations. Our vocations may include a career, work done to earn an income, but vocations are also created by relationships. We may have vocations as a son or daughter, husband or wife, father or mother, or neighbor. What is our most important calling? We are baptized children of God! As Christians, our many vocations are shaped by circumstances and relationships where our life in Christ comes into contact with daily life in the world. Our vocations may change over time, but in each of our callings we serve the Lord Jesus by serving others.
God uses our daily work in the world to bring order to His creation and sustain all that He has made. Through our vocations, God provides for the needs of others. He works through farmers and factory workers to provide food. He works through government officials to restrain evil and establish laws for communities. Through the vocations of mothers and fathers, God cares for families. Our callings change throughout life. Husbands and wives may also become fathers and mothers. Students finish school and take up careers of their own. In each one of these changing relationships, God works through us to care for the world He created and loves.
It was Jesus’ vocation, His calling, to take up His cross. Living within our various vocations, we take up a cross of suffering as we deny ourselves in order to serve others. As we follow in Jesus’ steps, we may at times fail to live faithfully within our vocations, but we know that Jesus carried out His calling in perfect obedience to His Heavenly Father. Our Savior was faithful in following His vocation for the sake of our salvation. He suffered and died to atone for our sins, including our vocational failures. We repent of our sins and receive God’s full and free forgiveness. Through His Word, God instructs us in our various callings and His promises refresh and restore us. As God’s baptized children, each day we take up a cross of service and suffering and follow in the footsteps of our Savior.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, as I serve You through my various callings in life, instruct me through Your Word. Guide me as I serve others in Your Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord,” which is number 853 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions: