As we approach Easter, there are numerous opportunities to remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made: defeating sin through his death and resurrection. The powerful truth of Christ’s love for humanity compels us to shine His love throughout every aspect of our lives. In this article by Dr. Jonathan Grenz, PBA Dean of the School of Ministry, he observes the power of the cross, God’s provisions, and what it means for each of us to shine the light of Christ in our relationships, contributions and vocation.
Easter’s Impact on Your Calling
Year after year, Easter inspires deep reflection, as well as celebration, for Christians around the world. The resurrection offers us hope because there is victory over sin and death. But beyond personal salvation, Easter transforms how we understand our calling or vocation in life (vocation comes from a Latin word which means “to call”).
An important Christian belief is that each of us has a purpose or calling. In fact, we have three callings that were part of God’s original design. However, they were marred by the fall of humanity through sin. The good news is through the work of Christ’s death and resurrection, they are redeemed and restored, offering us a new beginning and a renewed sense of purpose.
Calling to Relationship with God
We were designed for an intimate relationship with God right from the beginning. In Genesis, God created humans in His image (1:26-27) and walked with them in the Garden (3:8). This calling is to a dynamic and ongoing communion between our Creator and us.
In the Fall, sin brought alienation from our Creator and distorted this relationship. But Jesus’ sacrificial death broke the bondage of sin and His resurrection opens the door to restored intimacy with God. Easter offers us the opportunity to embrace our calling to relationship with God.
Calling to Stewardship
In Genesis, God calls humanity “to rule” or “have dominion” over His creation (1:26-27). Dominion is not domineering but stewarding. All of creation, including our very selves, relationships, and communities, belongs to God, therefore we rule as ones who do not own but are stewards.
The Fall distorted this calling. Instead of caring for God’s creation, our selfishness and sin lead us to misuse, abuse, inequality, and brokenness. Yet, the power of Christ’s resurrection redeems and renews our call to stewardship.
Calling to Contribution
Humanity was created to contribute to God’s on-going creation and its flourishing. Gensis tells us that God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden to cultivate the land (2:15). Their role was to bring out the potential beauty, fruitfulness, and flourishing. God has given us spiritual gifts, talents, and acquired skills to use in our contribution.
The Fall enslaved us to sin, distorting our inclinations and use of our gifts, leading to pride and greed. Rather than contributing to the common good, sin leads us to turn inward and to selfish ambition.
However, Easter reorients us toward our calling to contribute. Jesus’ resurrection restores our ability to contribute. Amy Sherman, in Kingdom Calling, highlights six types of work or contribution: redemptive work, creative work, providential work, justice work, compassionate work, and revelatory work.
With over 30 years of ministry experience, Dr. Jonathan Grenz is dean of PBA’s School of Ministry and the Catherine T. MacArthur School of Leadership. Before that, he was director of PBA’s Master of Divinity program and assistant director of the Center for Experiential Learning. Grenz has served as lead pastor, associate pastor in youth ministry and Christian education, and parachurch ministry director. He was a full-time faculty member at Sioux Falls Seminary and an adjunct professor at Taylor University, College and Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has led numerous short-term missions and recently has taught pastors in Colombia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Ukraine. He also served as president of the We Are Life board of directors and co-authored Synergistic Collaborations: Pastoral Care and Church Social Work. Grenz is passionate about mentoring and equipping young Christian leaders for the church and the world.
