2 Peter 1:10- “Therefore brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”
Have you ever wondered, “What am I supposed to be doing for God?” I didn’t go to seminary or bible college. I am not a great teacher or communicator, I don’t really know what I can do for God’s kingdom. I think sometimes, we get caught up in looking at the calling of others and get confused about what we are supposed to be doing. We may even get a bit discouraged seeing the vision we had doesn’t get the results we desire, but usually because we aren’t looking for God’s vision but looking at our own vision. We may not be a Peter or a Paul or a Barnabas or even a James but each of us has a calling that tugs at the deepest parts of our soul. The calling isn’t always dramatic like it was for Moses. Sometimes it is simply a calling like Jesus had in Matthew 9:9 that says, “Follow me and be my disciple.” Even if you don’t think you have a calling, you really do! You probably just don’t realize that it is a calling. If you feel passionate about something it is likely your calling and something that God wants to use to further His kingdom.
In the summer of 2006, Jews for Jesus concluded a 66 month evangelistic campaign in New York City. They distributed 1 millions tracts, put the Jesus Film in 88,000 Hasidic homes and used a budget of 1.5 million dollars on ads, radio and tv spots. In the end there were 157 Jews and 164 Gentiles brought to Christ. You may not see that as a good return on the investment but the organizers saw it was a volcanic response to what they did. After all the cost that God had for our salvation was His son.
God desires to use a heart He can transform into the heart of a servant to work in His kingdom. That is in each of us once we accept that first calling to become a believer in Him. If you haven’t found that calling, look within your life experiences, your pains, your hopes and struggles. God calls people from all walks of life and all life experiences to serve Him. It isn’t all about the preaching sometimes he needs a carpenter, a plumber, a mechanic, a singer, a listener, an encourager a person who can engage others or an IT person. Sometimes he just wants us to do what we do best. Most of us have a calling consistent with our strengths, our triumphs, our passions, our life song as well as our struggles and failures. Looking within our life will bring us to the missionary journey we are called to.
Lifeway has spiritual gift survey that we can use as a jump start, but don’t forget to keep those gifts in prayer and used the discernment of others to help guide. Below is the link but take your time and answer the questions as you see them fitting you not as you want to be seen by others. The results will be interesting.
I Peter 4;10-11- “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever, Amen.”
Your call may change a couple times in your life. The great news is that if you seek the calling you will find it. Our acceptance of His calling means that we say yes to God and fearlessly abandon anything that does not work towards His purpose. See you in the servant’s line.
Much love
Preach