His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
“As soon as we think that our careers are our vocation, we are in danger of returning to the ordinary and proper places governed by human competition and if using our talents more to separate ourselves from others than to unite ourselves with them in common life. A career disconnected from a vocation divides; a career that expresses obedience to our vocation is the concrete way of making our unique talents available to the community. Therefore it is not our careers, but our vocation, that should guide our lives…
A vocation is not the exclusive privilege of monks, priests, religious sisters, or a few heroic laypersons. God calls everyone who is listening; there is no individual or group for whom God’s call is reserved. But to be effective, a call must be heard, and to hear it we must continually discern our vocation amidst the escalating demands of our career.
Thus, we see how the voluntary displacement leads to a new togetherness in which we can recognize our sameness in common vulnerability, discover ouor unique talents as gifts for the upbuilding of the community, and listen to God’s call, which continually summons us to vocation far beyond the aspirations of our career.”
Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 82-84.
This pursuit of compassion, especially during COVID-19, is not a competitive quest but a movement toward our calling or vocation that is rooted in God’s generosity.
Notice in today’s Scripture that His divine power has given us everything we need because of His goodness or generosity. Did you hear that? We have everything we need. Everything!
That means that we don’t have to go chase after anything. We lack nothing. We must, instead rely on His promises as that the pathway for participating in the divine nature.
That means our growth only comes when we trust God to do what He says He will do. And related to generosity, He wants us to position ourselves as conduits of community blessing.
We get there through the doorway of voluntary displacement and vulnerability. Or in plain terms, when we set aside our desires and make ourselves nothing like Jesus did.
God, help us fulfill our calling. We trust in your precious promises. Make us conduits of blessing. Hear our prayer. Work by your Holy Spirit in us for the glory of Jesus. Amen.