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Focus: Choosing the call
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NKJV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
I was pretty cynical about things like being ‘called of God’ until it happened to me. I thought people who said God ‘called them’ into the ministry, were just trying to sound holy. I didn’t think people could actually hear from God and receive specific guidance about what He wanted them to become.
Half of me didn’t believe things like that could happen…and the other half of me wouldn’t have wanted to hear anything God had to say because I was too busy following after my own ‘dream of the moment’.
Do you relate to that? Have you ever considered that God could actually have a purpose for you that is more than you have already seen?
What if the purpose for your life is really a ‘calling’? How would you feel about that?
I’m going to paraphrase—or re-word Ephesians 4:11-16, which happens to be one long sentence in the Bible.
“God, Himself placed some people here on earth to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ.
He did this, so that all of the different people who are here to perform all of those positions, would also be able to operate as one unit—full of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.
God knew we were imperfect, but he wanted us to work at becoming perfect in the faith and as much like Christ as possible. God didn’t want us to be weak and immature—running here and there and being tricked by the wrong things some people intentionally teach.
Instead of that, God wants us to be capable of speaking the truth in love and growing up in all things into the likeness of the head over all of the various parts of the body of believers—and that would be Christ.
It’s by Christ alone that we are actually a whole and complete body. We are joined and knit together by what each one of us supplies at the point where we are connected.
Each one of us has something that the others can benefit from. When we are all working together properly—using our gifts and callings to the best advantage—the whole body of Christ not only benefits and grows—but is filled with love.”
Isn’t that a beautiful concept of how we should be connected with the entire body of believers? According to this passage, when everything is working right and all of us are doing what we’re supposed to be doing without trying to manipulate each other or compete—we will become very effective as a whole. When we are doing what God called us to do, we don’t have to make excuses. We no longer have to ‘justify’ ourselves, because we are justified by God.
When God called me into ministry work, I wasn’t trying to imagine what I could do for Him. I don’t know if you’ve wondered about things like that, or not. Maybe you’ve spent lots of time thinking about how God might use you, or maybe you’ve never wanted to consider anything like that at all.
Either way, it’s time to contemplate not only your purpose, but your true calling. Even if you’ve heard from God in the past—there may be more He would like to say to you. He may be wanting to take you further into the light of His love so that you can see Him better and He can reveal more of His plan to you.
It’s always good to be completely open and available to God. It’s important for you to tell Him you are willing and waiting to hear from Him.
Don’t be afraid of what God will tell you that He wants you to do. If it doesn’t sound right to you—it will eventually.
Declaration: I will find new strength by embracing the call of God on my life. I am sure He is leading me into something unique, yet something that will blend perfectly with others. What God has in mind for me will lead me to become better connected with the body of Christ. By choosing His call, I will be a connecting link that is useful and vital to the body as a whole.
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