Vocational Order

There is a DJ/music talent named Avicii who just came out with a new song called, Wake Me Up. When he first introduced this song, shock came across peoples’ faces as they heard a folk song come from a Dj usually known for his dance music.  It still had a dance background mixed in, but it was a very unique genre for him.  This up and coming talent had critics questioning him until his song blew up the pop charts, and has taken off.   Avicii went from crazy to genius.  He went from critics saying, “Let’s keep this song locked up,” who later watched this song blow up.

           
There are moments in life when we are just going along minding our own business and doing our job (our vocation), when some critic comes along and challenges our very actions.   Of course, the worst part is, that for whatever reason in the order of things in life, opinion means something.  Look at the case of Avicii.  He was doing his job and creating new music with the new passion for folk that is becoming popular in our world, and he was criticized for it.  It was like he was put into a jail he never imagined.

 In our story this week, Joseph finds himself interpreting the dreams of two officers who have displeased Pharaoh.  Joseph is doing what he has learned to do; and that is using the gifts he has in the setting in which he finds himself.  So he continues to see God’s blessing.  Yet he waits for what God has next for him to do.  As the cupbearer returns to Pharaoh he forgot all about the promise he made to Joseph.  Therefore after following his vocation and doing what God wants him to do, Joseph is still stuck in prison, because the guy he helped forgot to tell Pharaoh about his ability to interpret dreams.

            
Sometimes as we begin to work on Vocational Order and the priorities God has planned for our lives, it gets messy and feels unfair.  We have the thankless task of being a parent, student, or employee, and it can feel like we are in jail.   We wait for the moment when life is going to change; whether it is our child going through  a new stage, advancing to a higher grade, getting a promotion, etc.   But sometimes it seems like those seasons last forever.  And we look to God and say, ”I don’t want to be an Extraordinary Servant in this way anymore.”   We may feel like Joseph and want to get out of the “prison” we are in.

           
Avicii’s new song, Wake Me Up has a line that says, “Wake me up when it’s all over when I’m wiser and I’m older.”  It is common in our human nature to want to just have some stages of life over, especially when they are tough.  But often it is through those tough moments that we see God’s grace even more.  It can help us realize how sin and struggle can impact our lives, and keep us coming back to Jesus for His grace and mercy.

            
A few weeks ago I challenged our youth to find one or two things in their school day that they liked. They had been complaining about how long and boring their days were.  Out of that challenge came some great comments about the satisfaction that came from studying for a test, and then achieving a good grade.  Another one talked about how she gets to help in the TV station at school, and put on a show everyday.  I talked about the joys I find in my day as husband, father, and pastor.  God gives us vocational order, and a chance to find the joys in life.  I spent too many years saying things like “Wake me up when it’s over, when I’m wiser and I’m older” but I am so glad that didn’t happen. There are too many joys in life I would have missed had that actually come to fruition.  God finds joy in our vocations.  This weekend we dive into that--what it meant for Joseph and what it means for us.