"What is a calling? How do I know I have one?" As I speak with Christians sometimes, I often wonder what their definition of a calling is. It seems that this term is a puzzle for many Christians. Due to it's mystery, some do not even figure out if they even have a calling.
Why don't some Christians want to think about their calling? I want to go through a few examples and questions that I had as a new believer/non-believer.
1. What is it?
2. It seems to have so many definitions out there, so how would you know if you even have a calling?
3. The idea of having a calling is terrifying to someone who craves "freedom."
The term "Calling", refers to someone who has a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence. (Websters Dictionary) Well that is a whole lot of words that can be dangerous when misunderstood. Well I would like to add to that definition. A calling has two parts, a primary calling and a secondary calling. Both important, but often the secondary calling takes precedent over the primary calling which is something to be cautious about. Well how does one know if they even have a primary calling? Well best place to start is to turn to the bible. Here are a few verses to look up. Ephesians 4:1, 1st Thessalonians 1:4 and 2nd Timothy 1:9. Notice that all of these instances Paul writes to the whole church (congregations), telling them that because they have received the word with power/grace, they have a calling. This can happen many ways. Angels came to Mary and Joseph to tell them their son will be the Messiah, imaging as a child hearing that from your parents for the first time. Saul (who later became the Apostle Paul) was blinded and lead to a man where scales then fell off his eyes. Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed. These are but a few cases where God allowed people to follow his calling.
What's his calling? It's the same for all Christians, the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20. We are to go and make disciples of all nations. In other words we are not to withhold the Gospel from people. Some will only go down the street, others will go to India and help with prostitution. It all depends on where God calls you but the important thing in these verses to know, it to "go." Wherever that might be is between you and God. Now the question is, where do I go and what do I do once I go? This is the question that is asked when you want to find out your secondary calling.
Our God is a God of mystery and he loves doing things in a unique way for each of us. He has also gifted us in a unique way as well, which goes to show that we cannot all be called to serve in India helping prostitutes escape from their lifestyle. I couldn't do that, God hasn't given me that desire to do that. Just like he hasn't given me that desire to serve at a church where they require janitorial work, both are pleasing to God's eyes, but both are not what I have been called to. Paul talks a little about this in 1st Corinthians 12.
People can tell you many things about what a calling is suppose to look like. Some will say, you must hear God's voice or else it does not mean anything. Others will tell you that "it is sudden and you will know." Well, I know those are some ways which when you look in the bible you will find, but that doesn't mean that is the only way. Paul mentions in 1st Corinthians 12:4 That there are many gifts but the Spirit distributes them. In other words, when we seek the Spirit and ask for His gifts, we will find our calling through that. In order to seek the Spirit we need to stay in the Word to better hear Him. We need to be patient and listen and he will give us what is needed for your calling. For me, it took 6 months of waiting on his word. three of those months were making sure I was hearing correctly. Now as I mentioned before our secondary calling isn't to proceed our primary calling. For me, my secondary calling is to pay off my debt and go to Estonia and plant churches there, however during that time, I am here and still need to follow my primary calling of sharing the Gospel. God has put young men on my heart to help and show them what it means to be a Man of God, I know that calling is the same here as it will be over there in Estonia.
The idea of leaving to go to a foreign land that I didn't even know where it was on the map six months ago, is terrifying, but one thing I have learned a lot of this year is that allowing God to make the plans for me, means although I have to hand over my "freedom" but, I am allowing a God full of greater imagination to control my life which means, my life will be exhilarating.
Corny Christian
Something that has bothered me for quite awhile and probably always will is meeting "Perfect Christians" otherwise known as "Corny Christians". Let me explain before you start to make a bunch of assumptions. First off, a Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. To be under ones Lordship is to allow that person to rule over your life and for someone to be a savior means someone who saves someone from something they could not save themselves from. I.E. Lois Lane falling off a building only for Superman to save her from an impending quick death.
In other words, to be a Christian is to follow Jesus' teachings not only by studying scripture, but also by living out that faith (this is a really short explanation). Simply believing Jesus died for the sins of man and actually walked this earth isn't enough. Even the demons believe those things. (Acts 19:15) It's similar to when someone calls themselves "Christian," the act of saying doesn't mean you are. Other terms someone might use instead of Christian is to be Christ-like or a follower of Christ.
Now to be a "Corny Christian" is contrary to what Jesus taught and did. Corny Christians are people who probably reads their bible everyday, someone who is always polite no matter the circumstances (pushover), and someone who never seems to have any problems/troubles in life (clean hands).
Well how is that different than what Jesus did? Yes, Jesus knew scripture by heart (it was common practice for the Jewish culture). Yes, Jesus was kind to many people, and yes, Jesus never sinned.
First off lets look at scripture Matthew 4.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
I do want to make it clear that Jesus was always appropriate with his audience. To those who needed help, he helped, to those who were "perfect by law" (I.E. Pharisee's) he spoke truth to, to those who needed comfort, he comforted.
The third thing is, "Perfect Christians" always seem to be problem free. Nothing ever seems to be wrong. Honestly, what kind of lie is that? I have met countless "Christians" who never seem to have anything wrong in life. Marriage is great, kids are awesome, job is doing well and on and on. Struggles seem to be non-existent and these Corny Christians always seem to have the answer of "God's is in control." News flash, God's only in control if you let Him be, he has given us that choice.
In order for God to have control of our lives, we need to have a trusting relationship with him. A lot of God's story deals with His constant pursuit of man. Truly, I would much rather have the God of this universe plan out my life than myself (he has awesome imagination). God wants to have a relationship with everyone, but in order to have a relationship there needs to be communication on both ends. God does speak to us, but that means we need to listen and we also need to speak to God so he can hear our cries. I promise you God is a much better listener than you or any of your friends. When we claim to have no struggles or pains, we only fool ourselves. So how does a perfect man, Jesus, fit into the scenario of struggles? Well before Jesus put all the sins of man on his shoulders, he had a lot of time to process and pray. Jesus, who did not sin, still had struggles and he brought it to God. (Luke 22:39-44) Just to let you know that sweating blood is an actual medical condition of someone who is put under a large amount of stress (I'm sorry but Finals in college don't match up to this).
These are only brief descriptions of why being a "Corny Christian" is unbiblical. Sure the Pharisees were "Justified Jews" at that time but Jesus put them straight so there wouldn't be any confusion. So when we don't study the scripture, stand up for what is truth, and don't share our problems with the appropriate audience. The devil laughs at another soul wasting away.
There is hope, God wants to meet us where each of us are individually. Weather it's someone who has followed Christ all his life, or a someone who is selling their body for drugs or other pleasures. We all fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23).
In other words, to be a Christian is to follow Jesus' teachings not only by studying scripture, but also by living out that faith (this is a really short explanation). Simply believing Jesus died for the sins of man and actually walked this earth isn't enough. Even the demons believe those things. (Acts 19:15) It's similar to when someone calls themselves "Christian," the act of saying doesn't mean you are. Other terms someone might use instead of Christian is to be Christ-like or a follower of Christ.
Now to be a "Corny Christian" is contrary to what Jesus taught and did. Corny Christians are people who probably reads their bible everyday, someone who is always polite no matter the circumstances (pushover), and someone who never seems to have any problems/troubles in life (clean hands).
Well how is that different than what Jesus did? Yes, Jesus knew scripture by heart (it was common practice for the Jewish culture). Yes, Jesus was kind to many people, and yes, Jesus never sinned.
First off lets look at scripture Matthew 4.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Jesus not only knew scripture, but he studied it even at a really young age, (Luke 2). Something else that is really crucial to notice is that the Devil also knows scripture which he tried to use against Jesus. This is why it is extremely important to not just read the bible only to check it off your to do list for the day. Satan tried to tempt Jesus, who knew scripture by heart, what about a typical American who doesn't study scripture, that's like you are given Satan permission to mess with you head. People need to study scripture to understand God's story. The more you study His story the more you will understand His mission, which isn't about being a "Perfect Christian."
Jesus. What images comes to mind when you think of this name? Is it a picture of a handsome caucasian man with a beard, blue eyes surrounded by children and sheep? Or maybe a man who hangs on a cross till he bleeds out? There are probably many things that people think of when they hear that name. For me, I think of a Jewish carpenter (Mark 6:3). Someone who wasn't beautiful (Isaiah 53:2b). Someone who wasn't afraid to speak truth, and let's be honest, the truth can sometimes stings (John 4) Someone who didn't hide his emotions (John 11). Someone who was physically strong, (I don't know many people who could be beaten and whipped then partially carry a cross beam which they were about to be nailed to.) When you study scripture you start to get the picture of who Jesus really was and it's pathetic how Americanized people now portray Jesus (a beautiful fun loving polite push over). Makes me want to go flip over some tables and speak hard truth to those who have have try to skew his Word. ( Matthew 21:12-13)
Jesus was not a pushover, he was a Warrior, a true definition of what a Man is suppose to be like.I do want to make it clear that Jesus was always appropriate with his audience. To those who needed help, he helped, to those who were "perfect by law" (I.E. Pharisee's) he spoke truth to, to those who needed comfort, he comforted.
The third thing is, "Perfect Christians" always seem to be problem free. Nothing ever seems to be wrong. Honestly, what kind of lie is that? I have met countless "Christians" who never seem to have anything wrong in life. Marriage is great, kids are awesome, job is doing well and on and on. Struggles seem to be non-existent and these Corny Christians always seem to have the answer of "God's is in control." News flash, God's only in control if you let Him be, he has given us that choice.
In order for God to have control of our lives, we need to have a trusting relationship with him. A lot of God's story deals with His constant pursuit of man. Truly, I would much rather have the God of this universe plan out my life than myself (he has awesome imagination). God wants to have a relationship with everyone, but in order to have a relationship there needs to be communication on both ends. God does speak to us, but that means we need to listen and we also need to speak to God so he can hear our cries. I promise you God is a much better listener than you or any of your friends. When we claim to have no struggles or pains, we only fool ourselves. So how does a perfect man, Jesus, fit into the scenario of struggles? Well before Jesus put all the sins of man on his shoulders, he had a lot of time to process and pray. Jesus, who did not sin, still had struggles and he brought it to God. (Luke 22:39-44) Just to let you know that sweating blood is an actual medical condition of someone who is put under a large amount of stress (I'm sorry but Finals in college don't match up to this).
These are only brief descriptions of why being a "Corny Christian" is unbiblical. Sure the Pharisees were "Justified Jews" at that time but Jesus put them straight so there wouldn't be any confusion. So when we don't study the scripture, stand up for what is truth, and don't share our problems with the appropriate audience. The devil laughs at another soul wasting away.
There is hope, God wants to meet us where each of us are individually. Weather it's someone who has followed Christ all his life, or a someone who is selling their body for drugs or other pleasures. We all fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23).
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