Your Home is Holy Ground!

During the last month of our recent discernment and call process, several pastors encouraged me by reminding me of the importance of my different vocations. Or to put it another way, understanding rightly the order of my callings from God. 

All are important; but not necessarily equal. 
 
Wise colleagues reminded me that my first calling is that of husband, and then a father, and then (thirdly) a pastor. I needed to hear that. This order is important, but it is often ignored.  This is true for all of us.  It does not only apply to pastors trying to discern where to serve. We overlook, neglect, or take for granted the needs of those most intimately aligned to us.

Time for a self-inventory and probably course correction. 

We each have our own, unique professional vocations, whatever they may be. God has carefully crafted each of us with special talents and abilities, crafting us to serve the world around us in a variety of capacities. Different jobs. All are important and, when done to the glory of God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31), all are God-pleasing. But before any title or task the world assigns us, we have a prior calling: the people God has placed under our care. After our relationship with Him, nothing outranks our duty to spouse, children, and grandchildren. 
 
This order is easy to affirm, yet also easy to neglect. Not intentionally of course. We are quickly enticed by professional ventures, leisurely activities, and other good things.  Ambition, urgency, and the applause of accomplishment can quietly reorder/pollute our priorities. But faithfulness isn't measured by how well we perform in public roles, especially if we've abandoned our first ones at home. 

Our Lutheran tradition is big on this. The home is holy ground.  Family needs are important. Serving your household is paramount. Yes, we all have God-given tasks or jobs in which we serve the world; but the most sacred and holy callings we have are in the relationships we have with those around us. After all, for me specifically, anyone can be the pastor at this church or any other. But no other person has been given the privilege and responsibility of being a husband to my wife and a father to my children.  This is true for every one of us.
 
Today, consider your own order. Whatever your calling (occupation), ask: are those closest to you receiving the "first" of your time and care—or merely the leftovers?

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"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." (Ephesians 5:25)
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“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” (1 Timothy 5:8 NLT)