Called for More: How the Doctrine of Vocation Provides Comfort and Purpose to the Grieving

Abstract

When a loved one passes, a void becomes apparent. The relationship where one once found love, purpose, and meaning is gone. Does the church have a doctrine uniquely equipped to address this sudden void? This paper will examine the effect of grief through doctrinal study combined with qualitative research from firsthand interviews. This paper aims to encourage pastors and laypeople to see the beauty of vocation, the realness of grief, the crosses bore in vocation, and how vocation uniquely applies to the bereaved. This paper examines if a proper understanding of vocation provides comfort and purpose to the grieving. This paper also intends to show that the doctrine of vocation makes ordinary interactions divine. Love, purpose, and meaning are not dependent upon one individual God has blessed us with; instead, it is found in serving whatever neighbor God places before us.