Your calling

   After having been a Christian for only about three years, it was announced at my church a special man was speaking in a few weeks named John Stott.  People seemed excited, so I decided to attend.  Driving to the church that Tuesday evening back in 1993, I did not even know he was a renowned author and worldwide evangelist.  I would soon learn.  His talk turned out to be an incredible blessing to me, one of the most influential events in my early Christian years.
   During his talk, John Stott told a story.  He said in his early ministry days, he heard some Christians support a “pyramid model” of ministry.  At the top of the pyramid were the missionaries who served in a country where there was little Christian influence.  Then down the pyramid a smidgeon were the pastors in a country where there are plenty of Christians.  A tad down the pyramid were the teachers who are a light for Christ.  Then down some more were the housewives, the professional workers, and the blue collar workers who are witnesses for Christ in their various professions.  At the bottom of the pyramid were the politicians for Christ.  This last statement elicited a laugh from the audience at that church inside the Washington D.C. beltway.
   Yet then John Stott said this model is wrong.  He stated, “The truth is any person is completely carrying out the grand calling of God if he or she does whatever it is which God has called him or her to do.”
   If you are a follower of Jesus, you have been called to do ministry work.  Hardship will be involved, yet your calling is a privilege which will bring blessings and glory to God.  Whatever your occupation, there is the call for you to be a witness for Jesus.  A disciple of Jesus is called to proclaim to Gospel.  In giving the “Great Commission,” recorded in Matthew 28:19, Jesus gave no formula for carrying this out since people can do so in a variety of manners in a variety of circumstances.  Yet it all starts by loving God and loving people.
   Now everyone has a calling, yet all people have different gifts and different passions.  Jesus creatively uses the gifts and passions of His children.  Being a witness for Christ is way of life, which you carry out by relying of God.
   Your calling may involve different ministries in different seasons.  Your calling may involve a validation of your current career or a future career change.  Careful discernment is required.  If you do not know your calling, take some time to listen to God.  One suggestion is to take a personal “retreat” to a quiet place where you can spend several hours alone with God.  I personally start such a listening time by writing in my journal.  Journaling thoughts and prayers often leads to giving thanks to God, and giving thanks to God often leads to hearing the still small voice of God.
   In carrying out your calling, be mindful the foundation of your calling is Jesus Christ, the One who loves you and who died on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’” (John 6:29 NIV).
Hunter Irvine