October 24, 2018

Dear Church of the Apostles,

Pastor and author Eugene Peterson went home to be with the Lord on Monday. Christians will miss his faithful, non-anxious presence and joyful voice. 

I was reminded on Monday of this quote from Peterson’s book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, 

"I will not pretend to invent the meaning of the universe; I will accept what God has shown its meaning to be; I will not strut about demanding that I be treated as the center of my family or my neighborhood or my work, but seek to discover where I fit and do what I am good at. The soul, clamoring for attention and arrogantly parading its importance, is calmed and quieted so that it can be itself, truly."

This Sunday we will begin considering God’s idea of vocation and calling in the life of his people. 

Our vocation as Christians is to follow Christ in every area of our lives by living as he demonstrated and taught. This is what Peterson means by accepting the meaning of the universe as God has shown it. 

Our callings are the specific ways that God asks us to live out our vocations through our work, responsibilities, roles, and relationships. This is what Peterson means by seeking to “discover where I fit in and doing what I am good at.” 

The Sunday sermon will be about the biblical ideas of vocation and calling. At Family Table following the service (details here), we will have a relaxed conversation together in small groups about how God is calling us. 

I hope that you will join us for both. 

Peace and Hope,
Brian+