Listen to the First Answer
In Holy Baptism, we are claimed by God and given a mission for this life. Recognizing our baptismal calling is the beginning of the discernment process in our lives. No matter what we are called to, that call comes from God through the baptismal waters connected to His Holy Word. Recognizing this key aspect of the faith journey is critical to following Jesus. Luther, in his commentary on 1 Peter, once said that we exist for the sole purpose of serving our neighbors. There are limitless ways in which we can accomplish this service!
Think of all the people you know who are Christians. Do they all recognize that God has called them into a baptismal vocation? Perhaps you can think of a time in your life when you didn’t understand the call on your life as a baptized child of God. There are myriad ways the baptized serve the Lord: by being a parent, teacher, mentor, missionary, coach, nurse, lab tech, trash collector, bridal gown alteration specialist, florist, police officer, fire fighter, water treatment plant worker, farmer, librarian, mechanic, volunteer at school, and the list goes on and on.