Each Wednesday during Lent I'll introduce you to a simple, yet powerful, spiritual practice to help you meditate on the person and work of Jesus.
Here's a brief introduction to the fifth practice ... Christian vocation.
The Practice
Meditate on the following and remember the "ALLs" of the Triune God.
… the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
I believe that the Triune God gives Himself wholly to me and is abundant in the giving of His gifts ...
The Father gives all of creation.
The Son all of His work.
And the Holy Spirit all of His gifts.
(Paraphrase from Large Catechism, II, 67-70 Triglot Concordia)
Then, reflect upon your station in life according to the Table of Duties in the Small Catechism.
- I am a … (husband/wife)
- I am a … (father/mother)
- I am a …
- I am a …
Now list some intentional action steps that the Triune God is calling you to fulfill in each vocational role.
- As a (husband/wife), I will …
- As a (father/mother), I will …
- As a _____________, I will …
- As a _____________, I will …
Be mindful that …
You will walk in danger …
You will pass through trials …
And grim death pursues you all the way.
But also remember ….
You walk with angels …
You walk with Jesus …
And your walk is heavenward all the way.
Say the Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
I pray that this simple, and yet profound, set of practices will help you learn how to make use of the person and work of Jesus Christ so that you can ...
- fight against the "unholy trinity"
- defend yourself with all of the promises of Jesus
- and receive all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give
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