We can partly solve the mystery of God’s callings by distinguishing between our shared vocation and each person’s particular stations. Our vocation is to be caring followers of Jesus Christ who faithfully love God, neighbor, and self.5

God calls each of us to this overall task of caring for his world. In a broad sense, this caretaking is our vocation as Jesus Christ’s ambassadors on earth.

Even after hearing the overarching call, however, we still have to discern how to care faithfully in specific contexts, such as sharing the gospel with a friend, comforting a co-worker, running a business profitably, and serving patients or clients.

Our stations include our jobs, situations, and relationships. A few stations are definable roles, such as manager, parent, student, nurse, and deacon. Others are too informal to identify precisely—such as caring for a lost child or listening empathically to a suffering co-worker who is struggling to save a failing marriage.

God calls us to both our shared vocation and the various stations where we can “work out” our faith concretely.6 He provides stations so we can all serve each other for the good of society as well as church. Each of us depends on other stations, such as parent, doctor, engineer, and teacher. The number of people and stations involved in designing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and repairing the car I drive is mind-boggling.

The historical meaning of station is “where one keeps watch,” like a sentry, guard, or overseer.7 In our stations, we caretakers stand watch on behalf of the Lord in the service of others. As a next-door neighbor, I watch out for the kids playing in the street. As a college instructor, I monitor my teaching and students’ learning. As a cook at home, I prepare meals for my family when it’s my turn. I ensure that the wash is clean and the lawn is watered. I also stay on the lookout along with my wife for ways that we can help the needy in our church, community, and nation. We listen, learn, and follow the leading of the Spirit.

None of us can determine from the Bible precisely which stations to pursue. Most of our stations emerge as we pay attention to the needs and opportunities that present themselves. Someone asks us to help out at church. We discover that we are falling in love. We enjoy a college course so much that we decide to major in that field. Every one of our job applications is rejected except for one—which leads to an offer that we decide to accept. We lose our job or suffer illness.

Access to many stations is partly a matter of social privilege. A college education is an advantage denied to many North Americans and to most of the world’s population. So are internships and job training. In some countries, even worshipping publicly is a privilege. Because social factors limit as well as open up access to stations, each of us is born into particular opportunities and limitations. The most just societies provide adequate freedom and opportunity, but no society is perfect. Although some people are blessed with manifold opportunities, most of us have to face the realities of global, local, and personal circumstances that greatly limit our choices. Flexibility is essential.