Vocational Variety: God’s Wisdom for Women

By Deaconess Ellie Corrow I

In the last hundred years we have seen unprecedented changes for American women: changes which have brought them into the voting booth, the university classroom, medical school, the military, and everything in between. In the wake of these changes, cultural shifts have occurred both in the secular world and within the church. Young Christian women in today’s world should feel understandably uncomfortable with a cultural narrative that suggests that whatever men do, women can and should pursue, no matter the cost. However, at times there is an answering narrative from the church that suggests women should only serve in those vocations that are unavailable to men. That is, on the one hand to be female is to be no different from a man (other than in anatomy), while on the other hand it may seem that femininity offers no particular usefulness outside of the home. Both of these responses are extremes which fail to account for women as individuals with differing gifts, talents, and abilities, all of which they can use in service to their neighbors.

As you journey through the Scriptures, the differences amongst all of God’s saints become apparent. Not only do we see their sins and weaknesses but at times we are given a glimpse into their distinct personalities and vocations. For example, how many Sunday school lessons have been spent on hot-headed fisherman Peter, or the tax collector Matthew, or the perseverance of the Canaanite woman? How boring would all these stories be if we were given cookie cutter saints who never challenged our narrow, preconceived ideas? However, as we look through the pages of Scripture, read the Church’s history, reflect on the saints we commemorate, and look to our neighbors around us, it becomes clearer that the God who calls His Church from every tribe and nation, the God who makes us male and female, is a God who delights in diversity.

These wonderful differences amongst each of us also apply to the faithful women of God portrayed in Scripture, whose variety of service presents a broad and colorful tapestry. It is God’s Word that introduces us to Deborah the judge of Israel and Queen Esther, yet also sees fit to deliberately name Lois and Eunice, Timothy’s grandmother and mother, who raised him in the faith. It is in Acts where we learn of the businesswoman Lydia who, upon hearing the gospel preached by Paul, was baptized along with her household. We also meet Mary, the mother of our Lord, who receives God’s Word of promise, however impossible it may seem to believe, with joyous thanksgiving. Or we encounter another Mary, who neglected the housework and sat at our Lord’s feet, the rightful place for any disciple— male or female. It would seem from just these cursory examples that our Lord is able to make great use of the variety of women’s service for the expansion of His kingdom.

Unfortunately, as the Church is attacked by a hostile world that rejects the God-pleasing gifts of marriage and children, she can be tempted to fall into the opposite ditch, suggesting that perhaps these are the only pleasing vocations for women. With this singular emphasis it begins to sound as if the highest good and the goal of the Church is to return to some supposed glory days resembling Leave it to Beaver. Indeed, it may be comforting in troubling times to imagine an era when life was simpler, houses were pristine, dinners made from scratch, children were obedient, and everyone knew his or her place. The trouble is that nostalgia presents its own peculiar brand of deception, leaving its devotees chasing the wind. Additionally, as we nurture ourselves on nostalgia, we begin to measure ourselves and our neighbors against this mythical ideal instead of rejoicing in each other’s gifts, which may, in the freedom of our Baptisms, be brought into service of our neighbors in our homes, churches, communities, and workplaces.

Our differences in vocation and ability are not meant to be a source of strife, but rather of comfort and mutual encouragement. St. Paul assumes diversity within the Body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12 when he uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate that each part of the body works in concert with the other. An eye shouldn’t tell the hand there is no use for it, likewise, it is not sensible for the head to reject the feet. Similarly, perhaps a foot should not lament that it cannot see, but instead rejoice in the means it is given to serve the body. In contrast to this, some in the culture may look at the Church and insist the feet become the head, by demanding women be pastors, or housewives become lawyers, all the while touting diversity.

The Church, however, understands unity in the face of true diversity. Our Lord is the One who has numbered each of the hairs on our heads, whether that hair be red, brown, blonde, curly, or straight. He has also given a variety of gifts, which you are free to use in service to your neighbors. Some may find great joy and peace at being a stay-at-home mother and wife, serving their closest neighbors, and this is a wonderful thing. Others may wish to serve as doctors, lawyers, social workers, teachers, or in any other innumerable ways, and these are also Godpleasing vocations. Yet in the midst of these various vocations we are called by the Gospel as one Body, into the mysterious place where the last is first, the first is last, where the sinner is sanctified and called a friend of God. It is a remarkable, supernatural unity that knits us together as a family, as Christ called us individually out of darkness and into the freedom of His marvelous light with the waters of Baptism yet calls us together around the hearing of His Word, and His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins. However different each of us may be, we are all pilgrims in a dry and weary land, grasping the nourishment of Word and Sacrament delivered by the nail-scarred hands of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in doing so, we are equipped to serve our neighbor.

Deaconess Ellie Corrow is the MIssionary Care Coordinator at the LCMS Office of International Mission and serves on the board for Higher Things. She lives in Baldwin, MIssouri, with her son, Andrew, and a few dogs and cats.