Vocational Well-Being

Martin Luther famously noted that “God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.” This gets to the heart of what vocation is all about. Luther rightly stressed that our good works are not needed by God. In fact, he outright rejected any attempts we might make to justify ourselves by any so called good that we might do.

Paul was just as clear in instructing us that our good work do not save us. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Yet, if we cut off the passage here, we miss a large point. Pau continues in v. 10 stating For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

While our good works do not save us, they have been prepared by God for us to do. So, the question then becomes where and how do we invest those good works for the kingdom of God? When we think of vocation, most often, we might think of our jobs/profession, but our vocation is so much more.

Vocational well-being then includes all the ways in which we find to do good for our neighbors that God places in our lives. The healthful part of the equation comes in the way in which our giving of ourselves can both uplift others and fill our tanks as well. If you find that you are tapped out from giving of yourself, it would be wise to reassess both what and why you are doing what you are doing. Our neighbors need our good works, but not at our expense.

Thoughts for Reflection

1. What good works do you just love to do that fills your tank?
2. What do you do for others that drains you?
3. How might you balance out how you give to others in your various vocations to maintain a strong faith and energy to serve God through serving others?

 Downloadable Reflection Guide