A lesson in vocation from OT Biblical botanical parables:

The Old Testament is full of stories, full of warnings, occurring as “examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6). What a richness and wealth is available to us as we read under the guidance of the Holy Spirit!

In the midst of a nasty development after Gideon’s death, some of his mistakes came with consequences to his sons. He had taken a slave girl from Sechem as a wife and had a son with her. This son after his death killed, in a plot, all other sons except one. This is part of the complaint of the only son still alive.

Judges 9:8-15

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'

9 "But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'

10 "Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'

11 "But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

12 "Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'

13 "But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?'

14 "Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

15 "The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

The plants express honor in the work God had assigned to them. Their natural gifts accepted as worthy of full engagement. There is no desire to rule, just an intense desire to continue doing what they could do best.

What should our vocation be? In Genesis God made “man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule” (Genesis 1:26) we where made rulers -each with our own, specific, God given gifts. Then, we hear our Lord Jesus, in Mark 10:42-44 when he sates "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all”. We here have an excellent guideline to our vocational choice. Not forgetting that: we need to serve in love (Galatians 5:13) wholeheartedly (Ephesians 6:7), It is actually a liberating experience not to be in need to be the best (even if I have no gift for the job) as to achieve that specific, most desired ruling job. Our rule should be one of servitude. And, if God gives us a position of leadership, we should be humble and serving, following our master, always aware of proverbs 16:18 which says: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” King Solomon himself being one of the outstanding examples.

As an addendum it needs to be said tha 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian t being a servant does not mean: lazyness