God's calling - found yours yet?
One thing that gets talked about more than most within Christian circles is the idea of a calling. The question is, what is my calling in Life? What am i called to do? Maybe you're called to be a factory worker, a teacher, a doctor, or a soldier, maybe even a missionary or a pastor. Of course these are higher callings!
The China experience has kinda flipped that on its head as far as i'm concerned. I was supremely challenged by the guys that have gone out there long term, not as missionaries, but as regular workers. Why? They've gone out there with the hope that they'll pick up enough of the language and culture to be able to befriend the local chinese and share Jesus with them! They dont understand the term missionary...it is meaningless in their Christian understanding.
I believe God is far less bothered about our calling than we are. He'll say go and do what you enjoy, and what you're good at. Why? I think its because its not the actual work we're doing that interests Him, but the way we do it. What does Jesus want from us? 'go and make disciples of all nations baptising them and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you'. There are people in every sphere of life who need Jesus, we show him to them through our lives.
I think the point i'm trying to make is that we're called to take an evangelistic attitude to everything we do. We're all missionaries/ambassadors/evangelists. The real work of a church is done by its members not its pastor. The work of God is done by all His people.
So calling... i dont have a great answer, but it's something to do with getting your attitude right and throwing yourself fully into everything God gives you to do. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make you paths straight. Give up looking for directions in the sky and look at the people God has given you!
If God wants to tell you something i dont think you need to worry about missing it...you know when you're ignoring him!
The China experience has kinda flipped that on its head as far as i'm concerned. I was supremely challenged by the guys that have gone out there long term, not as missionaries, but as regular workers. Why? They've gone out there with the hope that they'll pick up enough of the language and culture to be able to befriend the local chinese and share Jesus with them! They dont understand the term missionary...it is meaningless in their Christian understanding.
I believe God is far less bothered about our calling than we are. He'll say go and do what you enjoy, and what you're good at. Why? I think its because its not the actual work we're doing that interests Him, but the way we do it. What does Jesus want from us? 'go and make disciples of all nations baptising them and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you'. There are people in every sphere of life who need Jesus, we show him to them through our lives.
I think the point i'm trying to make is that we're called to take an evangelistic attitude to everything we do. We're all missionaries/ambassadors/evangelists. The real work of a church is done by its members not its pastor. The work of God is done by all His people.
So calling... i dont have a great answer, but it's something to do with getting your attitude right and throwing yourself fully into everything God gives you to do. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make you paths straight. Give up looking for directions in the sky and look at the people God has given you!
If God wants to tell you something i dont think you need to worry about missing it...you know when you're ignoring him!
posted by Dan | 2:30 PM
1 Comments:
Hey there, stumbled across your blog and love it. Thanks for the 'meaty issues' to chew on:) I look forward to reading more.
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