Called Where?

In preparing for my sermon on the topic(s) of work and rest from Genesis 1:26 - 2:25, I looked back at a book I'd read many years ago by Alistair Begg called Made for His Pleasure: Ten Benchmarks of a Vital Faith. In this book, he has a chapter titled "Vocation: Finding the Ideal Place to Serve God," that includes the passage below. It goes so well with the previous two posts, that I had to throw it in here. [Hover over the Scripture references to see the text.]

The Bible makes it clear that God's call is not primarily about geography. Indeed, that comes way down the list. We are called:

According to God's purpose (Romans 8:28)

By His grace (Galatians 1:15)

Through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

Heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)

Out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9)

To belong to Jesus (Romans 1:6)

To be saints (Romans 1:7)

To be holy (1 Corinthians 1:2)

To live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:15)

To one hope (Ephesians 4:4)

To His eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10)

Even in this brief selection, it is apparent that God is more concerned about what is happening than where it is happening. We need to be thinking theologically rather than geographically.