Yes! Every single one of us is called by God, and it is this call which we often refer to as a ‘vocation’. God calls each of us by name (Isaiah 43.1), and at the heart of responding to our vocation is to be the unique person that God calls on us to be.
A calling, or vocation, is one of the Bibles major themes. Scripture is full of inspiring stories of very ordinary people who achieved extraordinary things when they answered God’s call and put it into action.
Each and every one of us has a special part to play in the unfolding of God’s plan for bringing about His Kingdom on earth, here and now. We all have unique gifts and qualities to contribute.
First and foremost, it is the calling of all Christians to live as Christ would. In part, we do this by reflecting the love of God to others in our own contexts and situations. For most Christians, their calling is lived out by taking an active part in their local church and sharing tasks and activities of church life, as well as in the workplace, community and wider world.
For some, vocation has a specific 'ministerial' dimension and involves being formally licensed or commissioned as a 'lay minister', or being 'ordained'.
This autumn from 17 October, the diocese is running a number of Zoom events for all those seeking to discern the call of God in their life, or find out about a particular ministry/
If you've been inspired to explore your own vocation, or if you'd like to find out more, you are warmly invited to join The Revd Canon Karen Hutchinson and the Vocations Team for any of our free events.