Voca

Voca is Latin for call or summons. My first call (voca) was farming. I grew up on a farm. I loved the smell of freshly turned earth, of freshly mown hay, the soft nuzzle of a calf’s nose on my elbow, the warmth of the sun on my back. In high school I enrolled in Vocational Agriculture. I joined Future Farmers of America (FFA). My counselor was the father of former Georgia Governor, Nathan Deal. I was our school newspaper reporter for FFA. Later I was tapped to be the public speaker for our Chapter.

Meanwhile, a stronger call (Voca, Summons,) was brewing. At my church, Deepstep Methodist, when asked to present the sermon for the annual youth service, I was terrified!! My youth counselor understood, and gave me a copy of a sermon by Rev. Norman Vincent Peale— to memorize for the event (plagiarism was not in my vocabulary). She knew Dr. Peale’s content could not fail! I still did not think of becoming a Methodist preacher. Far from it.

Yet. Even back at age ten, while listening to our pastor, I would silently tell myself, “I could NEVER do that! ?!! How does he do that, and with such ease?!?” Only years later, did I realize the voca (summons, the call) was already struggling, in my interior being, to be heard. The call became clear. My vocation was set. I answered the call. On January 11, 1956, I was officially licensed (not ordained at that point) to preach.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has many of us thinking about healthcare workers: They tolerate the bruising hours at work, the pain, the danger, caring for their patients, many of whom are dying. How do they do that? It is clear—they have the “Voca,” the “Summons,” The “Call.” You can usually tell the difference when someone is working just for the “money,” and those who have the Voca, the Summons, the Call.

I would not serve in law enforcement. It is not my calling. But I know, and have known many who lay down their lives in daily dedication because they have the call. I could not be a school teacher, although I have a B. S. in Education; but for decades I have known, lived with, and adored family members and others who rise early; going into poorly equipped classrooms, bringing supplies they paid for out of their own pockets; sometimes restoring castaway desks so each student would have one; sometimes facing parents who, belittle, criticize, and castigate them over the pettiest of matters. Again, it is the Voca, the Summons, the Call.

Bill Powell was a popular DJ on WMAZ morning radio in Macon, GA in the 60’s and 70’s. Bill often said, “If I didn’t need this to earn a living, I would do it for free!” You could tell he loved his job—no, his calling, his voca. He helped multitudes of Middle Georgians start their day with joy, jocularity, and hope, He did so joyfully every morning because it was his voca, calling. When you have found and live out your calling, not only are you blessed, but also you bless many. Far more than you will ever know.