In my Christian existance, I have found the understanding of calling to be an ongoing developmental process. Let me explain.
In my first years of truly following after Christ I began to recognize a pull within myself to encourage other Christians. If you would have asked me in my two year understanding of the Christian journey, I would have said that God had given me a gift of encouragement.
A short time after that, God allowed me to be a leader in our college ministry. I was the one who would plan our weekly prayer, worship, and teaching time on Sunday nights. At this point I probably would have said that my calling was to teach and encourage.
Maybe four years after giving my life to Christ a scripture, Isaiah 61:1-4 began to stir me greatly and was involved in a very specific call on my life. The unveiling of that call came with a very dramatic week that supernaturally confirmed a call of God on my life. At this point I would have said God called me to preach.
Years later I was involved in pioneering a young adults ministry as an intern at a large interdenominational church. My understanding here was that God had put me in a place of peer leadership. I taught, cast vision, discipled people as God led.
After some other wilderness experiences, some school experiences, some other ministry experiences God began to deal with me and say you are getting older, your no longer a peer leader, I am calling you to Father. I wasn't sure I wanted to be old and a Father but I recieved this direction from the Lord.
I give all this background to remind myself of the process and to say that our calling in the Lord is ongoing. It is not an event and it is not stationary, it is always evolving. It is a growing understanding. It is an ongoing relationship. We can't define it by yesterday or tomorrow, but have to define it within the context of our relationship with Christ today.
Today I am reminded that our callings are always subject to change. We are not our own, but we are bought with a price. It is God's will that directs us today in whatever direction He deems beneficial to His glory and His kingdom.
2 comments:
Hi Berry,
It sounds like you've proven faithful in some lesser things, so God has given you some greater things. This also bring greater challenges and that's why you're feeling stretched. The consolation is that He glorifies Himself through you, which is your seal in Christ, and your reward.
Also, He's mindful of what you're going through and blesses you.
How is your family doing, and how are your church and your business start up going? Still working long hours?
Please say 'Hi!' to your family and church for us. May the Lord open the doors for us to see you again soon.
i like ur blog, daddy! i didn't know u could write that good!
from callie
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