God At Work Veith Chapter 1 Analysis

We are all called to fill multiple roles during our life. In chapters 5-8 of God at Work, Veith (2002) explains the importance of each of these vocations and how they intermix with each other. In looking at each of these, it is important to note that one vocation does not carry more power than another. Veith explains how God works through us in each of the vocations of worker, family member, citizen, and church member to love and serve our neighbor. In chapter 5, Veith explains even though Christians and non-Christians work next to each other in the same job, the doctrine of vocations helps Christians to see “their work is not saving them, but that they are resting in the grace of God, who in turn works through their labors to love and serve …show more content…
Veith states, “Every Christian-indeed, every human being- has been called by God into a family” (78). As I ponder that statement, the magnitude of what Veith is saying is staggering. When we take the time to think about it, only God could create each of us uniquely in our family of origin. This begins with marriage, which Veith explains in-depth as he describes both the husband and wife’s role in loving and serving one another. Veith expresses, “The purpose of vocation, remember, is to love and serve thy neighbor. In marriage, the wife’s neighbor is her husband and the husband’s neighbor is his wife” (80). Veith goes on to explain this concept in that the wife serves her husband through submission and the husband serves through sacrificing his wants and needs by placing his wife first. My husband and I have been married for 15 years and have been through many ups and downs. I believe the primary reason our marriage has survived where others have failed is our ability to continually think of putting the other person first. This has allowed us to openly discuss when we feel we have been wronged. It has kept a balance in our marriage where one is not dominating over the other. We are both putting each other’s needs before our own. This key principle is something I witnessed as a child in my parents. Veith talks about the important role parents play in raising a child when he …show more content…
This is an area I feel most lacking as was previously eluded to, since I have not been actively involved in church for several years. It is difficult to admit, but I fell prey to seeing “its faults and its weaknesses, are distracted by the ordinary folks who make up the typical church, and are easily disillusioned with the way it operates” (116). My separation from the church began when my mom was diagnosed with a mental illness and ended with a high-ranking member in the church who barely knew my mom making a comment about her soul being “condemned to hell” but there was still hope for me. In hindsight, I realize the person who said these hurtful things was human and should be forgiven. Over the years, I have considered returning to church but didn’t out of fear. Veith says becoming a Christian is a form of following a calling. Even after the initial call to faith, “Christ keeps calling us to Himself every time we read God’s Word or hear God’s Word proclaimed” (119). I can honestly say I have heard Christ’s calling several times when friends and family have invited me to church and I have declined. I continue to pray God will help me find the courage to return and find a church where I feel I belong. Fortunately, I have been able to connect with other Christians outside of the church. Veith describes this as “a community of faith- not just a place to go for an hour on Sunday morning, but a place where Christians are