In the past three years Matt has taken up various roles in St Barnabus, Gloucester as churchwarden, lay worship leader and lay funeral minister. He points out that vocation is not just about putting on a clerical collar. Nor is it just about what we do in church or for church. He says:

‘Vocation is not simply about what we do in the church, it is about who we are called to be in Christ.’

Matt drew our attention to Jesus’ words in John Chapter 10: 1-10.

‘Jesus describes himself as the shepherd who enters by the gate and calls his sheep by name. Not as a crowd. Not as a congregation. By name, and notice what happens next - he goes ahead of them. He does not point us toward vocation from a safe distance. He leads. He walks the path first, and we follow because we have come to know his voice … The sheep follow not because they are told to, but because they recognise him.

But Jesus also warns us in this passage that there are other voices, strangers, voices the sheep do not recognise, and who come not through the gate but to steal and destroy. Sometimes life is full of those competing voices. The pressure to measure your worth by your productivity. The voice that says you are not qualified. The busyness that drowns everything else out. Which is why sometimes you need to stop, find space, and ask God to speak to us.

And then Jesus says this: "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Not a half-life. Not a dutiful, joyless service. Life in all its fullness. This is the gate he invites us through, not into obligation, but into abundance. Vocation is not a burden. It is an invitation into something richer than we could ever plan for ourselves. Who would settle for less?’

What might God be calling YOU to? You might like to use the words of Matt’s closing prayer as you consider this question.

Lord Jesus, thank you that through your death and resurrection you have given us life in abundance. Stir our hearts to listen for your calling. Speak, Lord, your servants are listening. Guide us, nudge us, draw us in the direction you choose. Fill us with courage to step out, love to serve, and humility of heart, so that we may grow your kingdom. Let all that we do be in your holy name. Amen.