[This the third of three reflections offered at the Vocations Day 2012 in the Diocese of London, Willesden Episcopal Area. It was hosted at St Mary's Ealing and offered people the opportunity to come and explore various ministries being undertaken in the church and wider community]
In the early part of his ministry, Moses has a serious crisis of confidence. Despite his many remarkable encounters with the living God, a burning bush to name but one, he still doubts whether he is called to lead the people of Israel out of slavery. Admittedly, it is a very intimidating job description. What’s more, he is also convinced that the Israelites will not take him seriously. Is this really the bold and courageous leader who parts the waters of the red sea? And how does he overcome an obstacle that had the potential to wreck his God-given vocation?
The light-bulb moment for Moses is recorded in Exodus chapter 4: “What is that in your hand?” asks God. “A staff,” he responds. An ordinary piece of wood is then transformed into a snake as Moses casts it to the ground, “so that they may believe that the Lord … has appeared to you.’ (Exodus 4:5) The basic tool Moses needed to begin his vocation is already within his grasp, it simply had to be turned over to God. The journey of his vocation was far from complete but he could now begin it, in the certainty that God was with him, resourcing his ministry in ways that were accessible but nonetheless remarkable.
Like Moses, we also need some prompting as we grow into our vocation. But it is all too easy to overlook this nudging from the Holy Spirit. Luckily God never stops calling us and these prompts come in a regular supply until we take note of them. One of the most helpful cues will probably come from those around us. People may say things like “You’re really good at that you know,” or “How do you just…do that?”
At first, you may dismiss what is being pointed out to you because it feels so ordinary or routine. Can solid administrative skills or a rapour with children or the ability to draw newcomers into conversation really be the corner stone of a ministry? The answer could well be yes. If you keep getting positive feedback about something that comes naturally to you, God may be asking: “What is in your hand?”
And when you do take a closer look at the resource within your grasp and then surrender it to God, you are likely to be surprised at the consequences. Connections are formed effortlessly within your networks, all kinds of encouragement is made manifest and inspiration appears in the most astonishing forms. Remember, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your vocation will only blossom in the context of the church. Nor should you feel uncomfortable if you realise that you have more than one staff, so to speak, in your hand.
The point is, you have registered God’s soft jab to the ribs and now see that you are holding something of value. This confidence should unlock a sense of freedom and excitement. What happens if you bring your talent into alignment with your passions? How could God transform this skill set into an active work of love, a way of serving that also feeds your deepest desires?
Hopefully, the question of vocation (or following your calling or finding your ministry or or discovering something that’s true and essential about yourself) is no longer just about asking what you should be doing for God but becomes seeing what God is preparing you to do. Is not the best place to begin any journey of discovery as Moses did, with grateful astonishment.
Let us pray.
A Prayer for Next Steps
Loving God, You have a plan for each one of us,
and you hold out to us a future full of hope.
Give us the wisdom of Your Spirit
so that we can see the shape of Your plan
In the gifts You have given us,
and in the circumstances of our daily lives.
give us the freedom of Your Spirit,
to seek You with all our hearts,
and to choose Your will above all else.
We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.