Calling

by Bob A. Clifton

A calling is simply God’s shaping of your burden and beckoning you to your service to him in the place and pursuit of his choosing.

Read it again! Once you finish reading it again, do it again! Why? I think this is the single greatest sentence I have seen in a while describing our calling. As you can see I am still in the same place from two weeks ago. I have been thinking more and more about this idea that we are called to do something very special, and very unique for the kingdom. Just when I think he is done dealing with me on this issue, he brings it up again. Somehow in the last couple weeks I have heard four sermons on the issue. I have ended up in multiple conversations and then the most recent book I pick up has a chapter smack dab in the middle dealing with our calling. Obviously asking God “why” at this point.

According to Ravi Zacharias in The Grand Weaver he expands on the idea of our calling. One of the things he mentions is “this is what we are seeking-a life and a calling that do not get corrupted along the journey, that cannot be defiled by earthly distractions, and that will grow dim or dull with time.” In a couple conversations this week I have friends in the faith that have not found or started to lose an idea of how they were gifted and what they do with their calling. In this chapter of The Grand Weaver, Ravi explains three ways we can keep our calling in focus.

1. A Devout Prayer Life. Great! Anytime someone mentions in a book to “just pray about it,” I immediately get frustrated. Yes I want to pray about it, but it is hard to discern what to pray about. Back up. Sometimes I begin to think we need to just focus on our relationship with God. When we are in daily conversation with him he will reveal exactly what we need to know. I have found that as I enjoy a daily relationship more often, staying plugged into his will and his calling on my life is easier. What is it like to be his son or daughter right now? Are you enjoying being his child. Start talking to him, he loves to hear from you and about you.
2. The willingness to be outshone while shining for God. In a great story shared in this book a pastor had been praying for years that a revival would take place in his church. He ends up in the hospital for an extended time. During that extended stay a young pastor came and filled the pulpit. During this young pastors stay at the church the membership blew through the roof. To the point when the pastor got out of the hospital most people at this church did not even recognize him. Instead of being jealous of the growth while he was gone, he was excited to see how his prayers had been answered. When we are living in our gift we do not care how the God gets glorified, just that he gets glorified. Are you OK with being outshone?
3. Make certain you stay close to those who walk closely with God. Who do you associate with most of the week? Do you have relationships with people that are supporting you in your calling and asking an account of what you are doing with that gift? God has created the body of Christ to be a source of light to the world and a source of light to each other. In order to stay in the battle we have got to surround ourselves with people that encourage us and provide life in a dark world. Think about who you hear from most weeks. Are they dumping life into you or taking it out? If you do not have a good balance you will burn out and lose heart for your calling.
A burden, and then beckoning you as if to lure you into this great story that you and I could not design ourselves. I love it! I have enjoyed this week being led further into the calling that God designed for me. I have got to do some adjusting to make this unfold. I feel sad about some of the things he wants me to give up, but know the delight of walking into his plan for me is the adventure that I want to be a part of. As I have enjoyed many of the things going on in my life during this season, God has opened up the door for me to have a full time job. With that full time job comes more responsibility to be there with my children when I am at home. What I mean is be present emotionally and mentally. Not having been used to 50 hours of my week gone with employment the adjustment he is calling me into is tough. I want so much to do some of the things I was doing before, but cannot afford to give up the relationships with my children and wife. Fortunately I can trust he has already provided provisions for what is to come.
God Bless and I hope this blog finds you in good spirits.