Week 1: What Do We Mean by Calling?
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Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 2 Timothy 1:8-9, ESV
Callings also change as our circumstances change. For example, I used to have these callings: single woman, full-time employee, and student.
What should underscore our callings is our faithfulness to what God has given us to accomplish for his Kingdom here on earth. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (ESV). We are called for a purpose, and when we heed that call, we experience significance in the mundane, meaning in our work and wholeness in our lives.
Perspective. Whether we feel we are succeeding or failing, having a sense we are called sustains our motivation. One example of this is William Wilberforce, who fought for nearly three decades to abolish slavery in England through constant setbacks. He continued those long years because of his conviction he was doing what God had called him to do.
Faithfulness. Sometimes, we’re faced with the temptation to compromise our values or discount our faith in our callings, especially in the work environment. Knowing God has called us to this profession shores up our desire to be faithful to our Heavenly Father before man, leading us to do the right thing even when others are not.
Stewardship. God didn’t create us to be alike—he gave us each different gifts and abilities to bless this world. When we use our gifts and talents in our callings, we are being good stewards of what God has given us. These gifts and abilities aren’t limited to church or parachurch work—it should spill over into our families and the daily work Christ has called us to do.
Purpose. While we won’t live our callings perfectly, we can live our lives with purpose, knowing the one who gave us eternal life also called us to be plumbers and lawyers, carpenters and doctors, pastors and singers—all according to their own gifts.
Rejoice, fellow believer, in the sure knowledge of our callings in this world. Over the next five weeks, we’ll take this concept of particular calling further as we discover the joy of living out God’s calling in our lives.
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