A friend related to me how, when he was a youngster, he spent a lot of time on the other side of the block all wrapped up in touch football and whiffle ball and hide-and-go-seek. But there were other important events going on for which his folks knew he needed to be present, like going to church, mealtime, bedtime. So, they blew a whistle to call him home from the other side of the block.

God also calls, not with a whistle, but with his Word. Martin Luther in his Small Catechism explains the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed in this way: "I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but the Holy Spirit calls me through the gospel...." The Gospel of our calling!

It is so easy for us to get all wrapped up in the affairs of our…