CAREER OR CALLING?
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The Apostle Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, Ephesians 4:1, which great and all that…but what if you have no idea of what your calling is? Who are you supposed to be? What has the Lord specifically called you to do? Not easy questions, but I believe the next couple weeks of our series Falling Into Your Calling will help you zero in on the Lord’s plans for you.
First, let me highlight that as believers, we are ALL called to the same thing. To mature and become Christ-like. To strengthen and expand the Kingdom of God. To take as many people to Heaven with us as possible. And regardless of whether you feel a specific calling to be an architect or marine biologist, you ARE called to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is not some preacher’s line, this is a BIG calling! Get out there and grow the Kingdom! Now, for your specific calling I have 3 encouragements for you:
1. God will always prepare you for your calling. Through Genesis 37-47, we see the life of Joseph unfold from favored son, to slavery, to Potiphar’s home, to saving the entire known world. Joseph’s ultimate calling was to run all of Egypt, feeding many countries, and rescuing his own family. His specialty was growing and collecting grain, which he did so well that they stopped counting the harvest for it was too much to measure. WOW! But before Joseph could manage all the households of Egypt, he had to learn how to manage one household. Enter Potiphar. See Genesis 39.
Your life is no different. The Lord will prepare you for the days ahead. (Keep in mind we’ll never be FULLY equipped for our work, lest we trust in ourselves and forgo dependence on Jesus). This week you may want to reevaluate your past. Did the Lord bring you through things that worked something into your Spirit? And only now can you look back and see His hand moving you around, in and out of stuff, so that you’ll be prepped for this current season. This reevaluation can also change your attitude about today, and allow you to yield even more to his direction in the days ahead.
2. Your calling is not necessarily your job. Sure, some folks have a blending of their upward calling and the work of their hands. But the majority of us have careers and jobs that are less about expanding the Kingdom and more about the mortgage and car payment. And that’s ok. Let me lay a big boy scripture on you: 1 Timothy 5:8, If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. If you are working a job that meets the needs of your family, GOOD FOR YOU! Your greatest (GREATEST!) calling is to raise children in a Godly home. You may not feel the angelic call to sit in a cubicle, but it is a means by which you are able to do your ultimate call. Like Paul in Acts 18, the work of your hands allows you grow and strengthen the Kingdom.
3. His timing is NOT our timing. The hard truth of living in the Kingdom is that the Lord seems to move slow. When I feel I am ready for the next step, I usually have to wait another year to see it come to pass. And just when I am about to give up, BAM! God moves. I often say that the Lord moves super fast, in a remarkably slow way. Today, I encourage you to lean back on him and take a deep breath. Be ok with this season you are in. Allow him to prepare you, to mold you, and even to shave off some of your rough spots.
Next week we will get into more specifics on your wiring and natural abilities. Let me leave you with a challenge to keep going. Don’t give up. Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14. Press on, press on, press on.
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The Oaks Fellowship
PO Box 5511
Johnson City, TN 37602
423-232-6257
office@theoaksjohnsoncity.com
Sundays, 10AM
Wednesdays, 7PM
3 Responses and Counting...
I was very encouraged today by your comment on career and calling. My children are grown and I have three grandchildren now that depend on me quite a bit. My job allows me to minister to people and share the love of God with them. I am thankful for an employer that will allow me to do so also. But have felt a little stale in the season I am in. I am 54 years old and I know God has more for me, much me. I am very involved in my church and sing in church and have for many many years. Special music has been taken from our services at this time, due to some people scheduled to sing were not being prepared. I feel like God uses my talent to sing to encourage other people. Maybe God is using this time for me just to be still. Again, thank you for sharing this today. It meant a great deal to me. God Bless your ministry!
Thanks, Trish, for your words and your encouragement. Blessings!
your church sounds wonderful…lots of fun things going on…what does your church believe that is bible based for the plan of salvation? thanks from granny