“Perhaps circumstances kept him [an old christian who is wondering what it all meant] in a position that was less than satisfying, that did not suit him all that well. Or maybe he just missed his opportunities (God makes no mistakes, but we certainly do). It is precisely here that the doctrine of providence speaks a word of grace. A word, incidentally, that offends those who, like Nietzsche, feel themselves capable of achieving, or morally obligated to achieve, self-obtained greatness.

God finds value in our work right now, not in some distant and hard-to-attain future. As Luther knew, occupation is only one aspect of our divine calling, and that calling is fundamentally to be the objects of God’s love and mercy. We couldn’t miss that calling if we tried.”