I'm sure many of you have heard from a family member, pastor, or youth minister, at one time in your life or another, that all of us are called to serve Christ through the special gifts God has given to you to share with others. And I'm sure at that same time you were thinking quietly in your mind... ya I'm sure I do, I know He is calling me to make something of myself and live a life fully in Him, but I have no idea what that could be. I remember sitting there thinking, what in the world would I use with the gift I was given, where am I being called to go, and what exactly would I do when I got there with this gift from God. I mean I wasn't born with superpowers, I didn't really have any special musical talents, singing was out of the question (unless you wanted to see the widows in the sanctuary break), and well don't posses any other so called talents that would set me apart from anyone else without sticking out like a soar thumb. And well, God doesn't exactly pass out an instructional manual with each of us as we begin to discern our calling... or does He?
Over the years, I have come to realize that our gift(s) from God do not have to be marked with a special pen or highlighted on the back of our clothes. If I had not been so engrossed in trying to figure out what my talent was, I would have realized that God had already provided me with the gifts I needed to serve Him. Christ has already given me the materials and means to use my gifts for Him, I just had to put it all into practice. This made me realize that these gifts we are given are not always easily noticed among our brothers and sisters, but they do exist. For example, the gifts we are given could be something as opening up our home to a weekly prayer meeting, playing music, or maybe it is the gift of taking the lead and helping others to initiate the start of something new. God wants us to use our gifts to help one another and lead each other closer to a life with Christ. For, by praying to Him and reading His Word, we can all discern where Christ is calling on us to go and what He wants us to use our gifts for. We just have to take the time to stop getting caught up in the hectic events of life, pause, pray, reflect, and listen to Him and His calling for us.
In other words, as David Haas writes in his song We Are Called, as Christians and members of the faith it is our duty to our brothers and sisters and to Him. For all of us, no matter what are gifts are are called to "act with justice, to love tenderly, to serve one another, and to walk humbly with God". As young woman in Christ we have all been called to live a life through Him. One of the precious gifts about woman, is their willingness and compassion to help others. When we open our heart up to Christ, and connect with Him, we are beginning a new adventure. God call us to draw closer to Him; therefore why should we embark on one of the most exciting experiences we will ever have.
Answering God's call is not always easy, but if we are obedient to Him, even when it seems as all is lost, and we are the only one walking along the path, we must trust in Him. I'll be honest there are times when I wish I could just pick up the phone or open up an email and find directions for God's calling in my own life. He wants to take us on a wonderful, enlightening adventure if we let Him, an adventure that will help us gain a better understanding on the life's calling He has determined for us. Jeremiah 1:5 states, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you". So even if you have no idea what your calling is or how Christ wants you to use your gifts, He already knows. As our Creator, He knows each one of us (inside and out); and if we are really willing to take the time to listen (for more than a day), while reading the instructional manual (the Bible) He left us... We will come to know and discover our life's calling.
Just imagine what would have happened if Samuel never answered God's calling or other biblical figures in the Bible.
Calling people is a vital part of God’s work in the world.
There are many different biblical examples of call which show many possibilities.
- It may be a call to leadership, as in the case of Moses.
- It may be a promise of protection regarding her descendants , as in the case of the slave
- women Hagar.
- It may be a prophesy of things to come, as in the case of the boy Samuel.
- It may be a call to missionary proclamation, as it came to the unwilling prophet Jonah.
- It may be an invitation to motherhood, as in the case of the young virgin Mary.
- It may be a call to disciplemaking, as it came to Peter and Andrew, James and John fromJesus.
- It may be a call to conversion, as it came to Saul on the road to Damascus
Christ will always be there for us. However, we need to make sure that we are listening to Him and not our own earthly desires. My decision to put off this Ministry to meet my needs, only lead to God's calling growing stronger within me, almost to the point where it overtook any earthly desires I had for myself. I still have no idea where this Ministry will go, but I know that if I am obedient to His will, He will take use my gifts to inspire others. I think this is best said in Paul's letter to the Romans, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). God has called all of us to do great things. Even if we cannot see it right away, our calling aligns with his purpose for Him and our desire to grow in his Love. Ladies, we are all predestined to accomplish great things during our lifetime.... So where is God's Calling leading you?
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