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The M&M Connection
Vocation
versus Occupation
Recently I have had a lot of enjoyment in learning the true meaning of
words. I started looking up meanings to be sure I was using the word
correctly. I was shocked to see that most often I was using a lesser
definition and it didn’t carry the proper weight when it was used in a
sentence. Words are powerful and they need to be used properly or we
misunderstand what is being communicated. Words have the ability to lift
up or destroy.
Genesis 11:1ff, tells us that the whole world had one
language and a common speech. These men were in unity, had a plan and
spoke the same language. What’s interesting is that God saw this as a
threat and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit went down to see what was
going on. It’s important to know that God was more concerned with the
ability to communicate than the unity or the plan.
God said that because they were speaking the same language
they were a serious threat because this allowed them to succeed. He
said, “nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” Genesis
11:6 (b). God confused their language because they were up to no good.
We, as the body of Christ, need to consider the way we
communicate to our brothers and the lost. Words are powerful. Vocation
and Occupation are typically words that we use incorrectly. We call
trade schools, ‘Vocational schools’ when they are really ‘Occupational
schools.’ I know you’re saying, “come on Jack, I know the difference.
That’s no big deal.”
While it is true that most of us know we are really
referring to a place to learn how to get a job it still causes a big
problem. Why? From a biblical perspective the words, while similar in
meaning, are not interchangeable.
We need to correct our understanding by knowing that the
word, occupation means your job, what you do for a living. On the other
hand, vocation refers to your calling of God. We need to understand that
we have one vocation, but can have many occupations.
Our vocation is that of a marketplace minister in the job
we hold in the marketplace. A teacher, doctor, bus driver, cook, pilot,
carpenter or engineer, all have the same vocation. That vocation is to
minister where you work. Each of us who know Christ has the same
anointing, authority and power. We just use them in different jobs.
Your calling is to be a witness to the living Christ wherever God has
planted you. A major point is that ALL occupations are to be
conducted under the authority of our vocation.
Your vocation is the same as your pastors except you live
it out in a different job or occupation. Knowing this will free you up
to serve God in a mighty way Monday through Friday. We need to be
thinking and saying, “Thank God it’s Monday” so we can live out our
vocation where God has placed us. If we do that, the marketplace will be
won for Christ.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Jack
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