HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CALLING?

“I have filled him with…skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.”  Exodus 31:3

Have you read about two builders named Bezalel and Oholiab?  God speaks about them: “I have chosen Bezalel…and…filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab…to help him” Exodus 31:2-6.  And there are other examples where God’s call was not “religious” in a formal sense, like Nehemiah the wall builder, Daniel the government man in Babylon, Luke the first century physician.  So consider this: your job could be your calling!  When you demonstrate Christian character there, and use your income to fulfill God’s purposes on earth, you are as called as any minister.

And your past does not disqualify you.  Paul wrote, “I was…a blasphemer…and a violent man” 1Timothy 1:13.  Happily, God does not consult our past to determine our future.  Furthermore, God will call you to a job that looks too big for you.  Why?  So you will never forget where your strength and success come from.  Calls are not classified ads; you do not volunteer, you respond!  God speaks, He persistently nudges you.  In Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell says, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”  All your human accolades and accomplishments will eventually leave you empty.  Lasting pleasure, the kind only God provides, comes from knowing you are doing what He has told you to do.  Eventually Eric Liddell became a missionary; so your call can begin one place then take you to another.  Whenever you know you are doing what God has called you to do – you experience a lasting pleasure that simply cannot be found anywhere else!

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

When God calls you to do something, His call comes in several ways:

·         You feel “moved”.  There is a moment of certainty when God puts His hand upon you, nudging you toward a particular need, usually an unmet one.  You know it in your “knower”.

·         It is confirmed by others.  People will discern that God is at work in your life.  People, who know you well, watch; they volunteer comments such as “You are at your best when you…”, “You shine when you are doing that.”

·         You will be gifted to do it.  There are times when a person starts off with seemingly no specific capacities at all, but this is rare.  With a call comes giftedness – that special empowerment God gives to the “callee”.  When you are in your calling you soar in spite of obstacles.  And people tend to stand back in amazement.  Ever seen Joni Eareckson Tada speaking to an auditorium full of people in wheelchairs?  The whole place comes alive when she rolls up to the microphone in her wheelchair.

·         You will see results! You will change things, touch lives and glorify God.  St. Patrick had a dream in which the Irish people were saying, “We appeal to you, Holy Servant Boy, to come and walk among us.”  And Patrick responded.  He combed the Irish countryside preaching to chiefs and kings.  An entire nation began its journey toward Christianity.  Now, you may not be called to do that, but you are called to do something for God.  So, find your calling and fulfill it!