When I think of "calling" I tend to think of the big things but actually I think a lot of the time its the daily, small invitations God generously offers that matter. When I suddenly think of a person and feel called to message them. When I feel a prompt to give a word of encouragement to a friend, God is inviting me to join in with what he is doing. Sometimes I miss these callings because they are subtle and gentle but they are His invitations to enter into His plans. I hope I am learning to listen better as the years go by!
I love that expectation of blessing is the first step of obedience to God's call. Often I jump ahead and focus on the discipline and struggle of obedience so much that I lose sight of the joy set before me. But 11:6 reminds us that our God "rewards those who earnestly seek him," so we can expect good things. What a gift!
How quickly have I dismissed when someone said they were “called” to do something….what I was really thinking was “why not me?” After some reflection I realized maybe I hadn’t been listening. Or maybe I did hear, but didn’t acknowledge where it came from. I think you were right when you said “narrow definition” of calling. Glad you pointed that out today. Reaffirms that I keep searching, asking and listening.
Oh yeah, you hit the nail on the head for me, too, I'm either skeptical ("how convenient for you that you were 'called' there") or jealous ("why not me, doesn't God want me to do something like that, too").
Thinking about your comment and then reflecting on chapter 11... it makes me think about all of these who didn't "receive what had been promised." All of the stories of these faithful ones may have seemed like they didn't have much meaning at the time, at least outside of the context of God's story. Our callings may not make sense without the big picture either.
I have erred in the past in not listening to the Holy Spirit and going ahead with my way. There are still consequences of that every day.
So I learned to listen and obey. I went forward with a mission trip that had been on my bucket list for years. What a blessing it was, but not so much in what I did to help others, but in raising my awareness of what God wants for me and those living in need of the gospel. Its really love for God and His love for us.
One of the most difficult things for me is to not just read these stories as if they’re just “great stories “but actually let the details sink in and understand that these are true stories. When I do and I realize that they lived as foreigners in tents, not knowing what the next day would bring and yet they had faith and were obedient.I sit here in what they would consider a mansion and struggle with my faith and obedience and I think what chance do I have?
You definitely have a chance, Debra. But I understand the way you're feeling. A few thoughts: 1. It probably helps to know that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were quite wealthy and living in lovely tents. We are definitely talking glamping. :) Which leads to 2. It's hard to be a human. Period. Every human life carries with it hardships. Sometimes we look at things like wealth and health and see those as blessings. But both could be considered hurdles to faith. You know what God says about the rich man--faith is harder for him. I've known people who never left the state they were born in. That's a blessing. And it's a hurdle to faith. I know people who've never lost a loved one. That's a blessing. And a hurdle to faith. A consistent job, an easy marriage, kids who just naturally behave--all blessings, all potential hurdles to the work of being made in the image of Christ. All I'm saying is that we all have reasons why faith might be hard, but we all have the chance to say yes to the gift of faith. God wants to give it to us. Don't worry about comparing yourself to the people on this list. He's not asking you to measure up. Instead He's saying, Look at all these different kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances--faith was a strong enough staff for all of them to lean on. It got them through. It'll get you through, too.
Something I’ve been marinating on is all the human characteristics I see in the people listed on this page, and how God is not focused on those characteristics at all. He calls them FAITHFUL, chosen, loved, pleasing to God, obedient. MIGHTY under God’s leadership.
I don’t want my misstep to keep me out of the game. God IS. ABLE. to fix, correct, and direct. My calling is supposed to be beyond my ability. And that’s what should keep me in step with my Master and Father. He will not lead wrong. (I just have to keep telling my heart that! lol)
Here recently, since the Lord has placed the word surrender on my heart, I have been intentionally asking God to lead me where He wants to lead me & show me where I need to go. I’ve made so many decisions in my life without seeking His wisdom first. It’s time for that to change. I’m ready to listen to His call and obey. I am very content with the life I have, but I’ve (also) been feeling this urge that I was made for more. I don’t know what that “more” is yet, but I’m trusting that the Lord will reveal that to me when the time is right as I seek Him more and more!
Calling has been big word for me for a long time, and Abraham's going without knowing where he was going has been a paradigm. But in the last few years, my wife's work has opened up a fresh and exciting perspective. Her ministry organization, Vibrant Faith, led a grant project for four years called Creating a Culture of Calling, working in 20 churches around the country. Two key insights emerged in that work. One, we all have multiple callings, and they change over time. Two, while we often talk about calling in terms of gifts and passions, calling its primarily about the people entrusted to our care. JL, I was moved by your inheritance story and slowly accepting being a mother. I read that story as the initially reluctant but ultimately joyful receiving of your calling as a mother. And it evoked in me a pained and happy memory of my early years as a father. Thank you. I'm going to camp out here for a while.
When I think of "calling" I tend to think of the big things but actually I think a lot of the time its the daily, small invitations God generously offers that matter. When I suddenly think of a person and feel called to message them. When I feel a prompt to give a word of encouragement to a friend, God is inviting me to join in with what he is doing. Sometimes I miss these callings because they are subtle and gentle but they are His invitations to enter into His plans. I hope I am learning to listen better as the years go by!
Yes!
I agree completely. I believe God calls us in the little day to day things.
Love this perspective! Yes, yes, yes!
I agree!
I love that expectation of blessing is the first step of obedience to God's call. Often I jump ahead and focus on the discipline and struggle of obedience so much that I lose sight of the joy set before me. But 11:6 reminds us that our God "rewards those who earnestly seek him," so we can expect good things. What a gift!
Right?! I love that it's not childish to want a prize. God leads with the prize. Even Jesus wanted the prize!
How quickly have I dismissed when someone said they were “called” to do something….what I was really thinking was “why not me?” After some reflection I realized maybe I hadn’t been listening. Or maybe I did hear, but didn’t acknowledge where it came from. I think you were right when you said “narrow definition” of calling. Glad you pointed that out today. Reaffirms that I keep searching, asking and listening.
This is such powerful honesty, Susan. I've thought the very same thing, but it took a long time to own it.
Oh yeah, you hit the nail on the head for me, too, I'm either skeptical ("how convenient for you that you were 'called' there") or jealous ("why not me, doesn't God want me to do something like that, too").
Thinking about your comment and then reflecting on chapter 11... it makes me think about all of these who didn't "receive what had been promised." All of the stories of these faithful ones may have seemed like they didn't have much meaning at the time, at least outside of the context of God's story. Our callings may not make sense without the big picture either.
I have erred in the past in not listening to the Holy Spirit and going ahead with my way. There are still consequences of that every day.
So I learned to listen and obey. I went forward with a mission trip that had been on my bucket list for years. What a blessing it was, but not so much in what I did to help others, but in raising my awareness of what God wants for me and those living in need of the gospel. Its really love for God and His love for us.
Me too. I don't want to say no ever again. Yes is better. :)
agree! i've been asked what my advice would be in general for life in Christ. My answer is always, say yes!!
One of the most difficult things for me is to not just read these stories as if they’re just “great stories “but actually let the details sink in and understand that these are true stories. When I do and I realize that they lived as foreigners in tents, not knowing what the next day would bring and yet they had faith and were obedient.I sit here in what they would consider a mansion and struggle with my faith and obedience and I think what chance do I have?
You definitely have a chance, Debra. But I understand the way you're feeling. A few thoughts: 1. It probably helps to know that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were quite wealthy and living in lovely tents. We are definitely talking glamping. :) Which leads to 2. It's hard to be a human. Period. Every human life carries with it hardships. Sometimes we look at things like wealth and health and see those as blessings. But both could be considered hurdles to faith. You know what God says about the rich man--faith is harder for him. I've known people who never left the state they were born in. That's a blessing. And it's a hurdle to faith. I know people who've never lost a loved one. That's a blessing. And a hurdle to faith. A consistent job, an easy marriage, kids who just naturally behave--all blessings, all potential hurdles to the work of being made in the image of Christ. All I'm saying is that we all have reasons why faith might be hard, but we all have the chance to say yes to the gift of faith. God wants to give it to us. Don't worry about comparing yourself to the people on this list. He's not asking you to measure up. Instead He's saying, Look at all these different kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances--faith was a strong enough staff for all of them to lean on. It got them through. It'll get you through, too.
Thank you.
Debra, you spoke to my heart! I relate…
“Don’t let missteps make you choose different”
Something I’ve been marinating on is all the human characteristics I see in the people listed on this page, and how God is not focused on those characteristics at all. He calls them FAITHFUL, chosen, loved, pleasing to God, obedient. MIGHTY under God’s leadership.
I don’t want my misstep to keep me out of the game. God IS. ABLE. to fix, correct, and direct. My calling is supposed to be beyond my ability. And that’s what should keep me in step with my Master and Father. He will not lead wrong. (I just have to keep telling my heart that! lol)
🙌🏼
Here recently, since the Lord has placed the word surrender on my heart, I have been intentionally asking God to lead me where He wants to lead me & show me where I need to go. I’ve made so many decisions in my life without seeking His wisdom first. It’s time for that to change. I’m ready to listen to His call and obey. I am very content with the life I have, but I’ve (also) been feeling this urge that I was made for more. I don’t know what that “more” is yet, but I’m trusting that the Lord will reveal that to me when the time is right as I seek Him more and more!
This is so exciting, Alli! I know he will give you the desire of your heart as you pursue Him (even if YOU don't know what that desire is yet!)
Calling has been big word for me for a long time, and Abraham's going without knowing where he was going has been a paradigm. But in the last few years, my wife's work has opened up a fresh and exciting perspective. Her ministry organization, Vibrant Faith, led a grant project for four years called Creating a Culture of Calling, working in 20 churches around the country. Two key insights emerged in that work. One, we all have multiple callings, and they change over time. Two, while we often talk about calling in terms of gifts and passions, calling its primarily about the people entrusted to our care. JL, I was moved by your inheritance story and slowly accepting being a mother. I read that story as the initially reluctant but ultimately joyful receiving of your calling as a mother. And it evoked in me a pained and happy memory of my early years as a father. Thank you. I'm going to camp out here for a while.
This reminds me of the Happiest Saddest People. :)