Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord, not for men.”
Os Guiness writes: “Along with the truth of the cross of Christ, the truth of calling has had as much influence in the world as any truth in history – and it will again, when it is rediscovered… Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.”
Let’s immediately disavow the notion that callings are reserved for those people going into so-called ‘full-time’ Christian work. William Wilberforce nearly made that mistake as a new convert back in 1785. He thought he should shelve politics and become a clergyman, as ‘spiritual’ affairs were apparently far more important than secular ones. Thankfully John Newton, a former slave trader who wrote the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’, dissuaded him from leaving politics. “It is hoped and believed that the Lord has raised you up for the good of the nation,” said Newton. Wilberforce subsequently wrote in his journal in 1788: “My walk is a public one. My business is in the world; and I must mix in the assemblies of men, or quit the post which Providence seems to have assigned me.” The rest is history, as they say.
Wilberforce was called to politics. My mate Craig is called to business. I’m called to raise a new generation of passionate disciples in Burundi. We’re all seeking to use our God-given talents for a God-given purpose. What took me out of marketing and into my current field of service was a bold prayer of surrender: “Lord, I’ll do anything. I’ll go anywhere.”
That’s essentially what he wants from you today.
Lord, count me in! I don’t know what my life will look like, but I trust you as the Caller. Amen!
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