Words and Music by Randall Goodgame and Andrew Osenga
(c) 2007 House of Mirrors Music (ASCAP) admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc. / 2007 Mighty Molecule Music. (ASCAP) admin by Music Services

this house is a good mess
it’s the proof of life
no way would I trade jobs
but it don’t pay overtime

I’ll get to the laundry
I don’t know when
I’m saying a prayer tonight
cause tomorrow it starts again

could it be that everything is sacred?
and all this time
everything I’ve dreamed of
has been right before my eyes

the children are sleeping
but they’re running through my mind
the sun makes them happy
and the music makes them unwind

my cup runneth over
and I worry about the stain
teach me to run to You
like they run to me for every little thing

when I forget to drink from you
I can feel the banks harden
Lord, make me like a stream
to feed the garden

wake up, little sleeper
the Lord, God Almighty
made your Mama keeper
so rise and shine
rise and shine cause

everything is sacred
and all this time
everything I’ve dreamed of
has been right before my eyes

A.W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God:

“…Let us practice the fine art of making every work a priestly ministration. Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.

The `layman’ need never think of his humbler task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act. All he does is good and acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For such a man, living itself will be sacramental and the whole world a sanctuary. His entire life will be a priestly ministration.

Yes, God is the Lord of my life, but to my knowledge, he has never told me to be such and such.

The only things He has ever said to me were the following:

1. It’ll be OK.

2. Don’t worry.

3. Don’t lust.

(Practically I do believe there is a calling on ministers and missionaries. When we remove the distinction how do we function? Do we fund every Christian as a missionary? No, then do we only fund those who going cross-cultural or international? Soon as we start creating categories we need names for them. Thus we just recreate the missionary under a different name.)

I just want out of sales!

(from my oral tradition theology)

“Had Wilberforce abandoned public life, the consequences would have been enormous. His friend, the Rev. Thomas Scott, wrote, “The slave trade might have continued into future generations.” Thank God Wilberforce embraced a proper view of biblical calling.

As we ponder God’s call on our own lives, we should remember that not every Christian needs to be in formal ministry. There are opportunities to serve God and do His will in every field of human endeavor. After all, we believe that all of life is ministry. So Christians should be equipped to be ministers of the Gospel wherever God puts us.”

Along with that … the majority of teachers/… are unable to make a living without the giving of the church.

But alongside that, I think there actually is something good in using the term “calling” rather than “career” for pastoral positions. This isn’t fully fleshed out, but some basic thoughts -

I think the term “calling” actually is a biblical reflection. The OT prophets were “called.” Paul was “called” to be an apostle. In order to raise up elders, they prayed and laid hands on them, so there certainly is something special there.

I think we do want to maintain an emphasis upon the seriousness and soberness with which our preachers labor – that they are shepherds and going to be held accountable as teachers. I think using the term “calling” is helpful for that.

Any thoughts?

There’s a danger, isn’t there, with a “ministry” job that one does simply because he/she has to have a job (minus the giving God glory attitude)?

One of them was called “Packing Pork to Preach the Gospel.” (Really!) It was about a guy in a meat packing pack who viewed his vocation as secondary (but necessary) to his ministry. I don’t know if my grandfather wrote it himself or not; I’d give anything to find a copy of it.

Whether in vocational ministry or serving God through secular work, the ministry we all have can only take place if the “business” side of our life is viable.

The problem you are presenting takes place because Christians like to write their own version of the Bible.

But, it’s simply not the way it is. The Bible tells me so.

But Paul Washer put it this way when you think about the great commission and missions – when someone goes down into the well, you are either the one going down into the well or the one holding the rope – either way, you are going to have scars on your hands. And think about this with respect to “menial” jobs – where are the scars on your hands? What has it cost you and what have you made your service – going to work everyday to support missions? Praying until late?

Great question because we all need a bolster of encouragement to see that our mission field is here and now, right where we are and in what we do. There is just as much hardship, depression, misery, joy, wonder as being a pastor or missionary in India as there is being a mission right here!!

Go…or send!

The person’s revelation, posture, and insight.

However, I think part of it has to do with why we’re in the particular job we might have. My sister was a nurse and she felt called to be a nurse for most of her life. My other sister is a speech pathologist and she’s felt that calling for most of her life.

However, I work at a community college district on their website to pay the bills. I don’t see this job as my “calling” or my “holy discontent” or my “passion groove.” It’s just a job to pay the bills.

However, I do believe that God has placed me/we here for His glory and my calling is to be His light wherever I am.

However… (just kidding)