Thoughts on Vocation (Part 4)

Staring at Our Navels.

"Every attempt to select a gathering of holy and unworldly people for service has the result of forcing love --and that is not the love of Christ. . .In the cloister man is forced to perform works which are a substitute for the works which he should 'pour out on his neighbor, in love,' in the world at large. His works are done for a reason other than the purely earthly aim of being of service to his neighbor; his aim is now to make himself holy. That is to seek justification before God by works. Faith is wiped out." Wingren, Gustaf, Luther on Vocation, 31 (1957).

"To realize that the mundane activities that take up most of our lives -- going to work, taking the kids to soccer practice, picking up a few things at the store, going to church -- are hiding places for God can be a revelation in itself. Most people seek God in mystical experiences, spectacular miracles, and extraordinary acts they have to do. To find Him in vocation brings Him, literally, down to earth, makes us see how close He really is to us, and transfigures everyday life." Veith, Gene, God at Work, 24 (2002).

How is modern evangelical thinking similar to that of the monastic orders?

* See archives for previous post on vocation.