You Are Called

When I was in college, I was part of a church that created an unhealthy picture of calling. Although it was unspoken, it was clear that there was an underlying belief that vocational ministry was the only career considered "a calling"--higher, better, more sacred and holy. Everything else was "just work" and usually only a holding pattern until you were "truly called" (into the higher, better, more sacred and holy position of vocational ministry, of course.)

I saw brilliant people with numerous degrees working in jobs outside of their gifting, and looking back I believe it was for one reason. To work inside their gifting would be less than "a calling" and would admit defeat. The ultimate defeat would be to recognize that you weren't "special enough" to be called into vocational ministry.

Sad.

As my last word on calling today, I want to encourage you that we all have one ultimate calling. That highest calling is to love God and His Son Jesus with all our heart, will all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength. Out of that call to love flows our ministry,.

We're all called to the ministry of reconciling the lost to Jesus. For a few, that call may translate to paid ministry positions. For most, that call is gloriously displayed in classrooms, chemistry labs, retail stores and factories. Our calling is fulfilled by homemakers, salespeople, personal trainers and mail carriers.

Bloom where you're planted. Let His light shine through the gifts He's given. Reach out to the lost in your sphere of influence. Fulfill the call. (I'm smiling just thinking about you doing it!)