Special Callings

As more and more people opt to not attend a house of worship, the marketplace Christ follower has once again become the frontline representative of our Lord. Just as it was in the early days of the Christian movement, it seems we, merchants of the modern era, have returned to being the example of Christ to the world.

John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” They knew they were followers of Christ by their love for one another. Rome was transformed by this love as Constantine watched how the ‘Followers of the Way’ helped to take care of the down trodden of that time. Not because they were asked to, but because it was the Christ in them showing through.

As the world becomes a harder and crueler place to live, many will look for comfort in those around them. Our actions will tell them who we are and whom we represent. Do not grow weary in doing good…it’s more important now than ever.

Blessings

Special Callings
December 2nd, 2015 by Os Hillman

“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.” 1 Corinthians 7:17a – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Each of us is called to relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are called by Him, to Him, and for Him. Once we enter that relationship with Christ, we are called into the physical expression of that relationship. This is where our vocations are manifested as a result, not as an end in themselves.

Additionally, there are examples of special callings in the Bible in which individuals have a direct communication from God to do a specific task for Him. Moses, Paul, Peter, and many others had direct communication about what God was calling them to do. Not everyone receives this “special” calling. This is not to say God is not personal with each of us. Some have had extraordinary supernatural encounters with God that led to their calling being specific to a task ordered by God. All of us have been called to follow Christ and live our lives in obedience to Him. Many of us have a sense to go in one direction or another based on our life experiences and giftedness. This, too, is God’s calling.

Calling goes beyond our work and includes our relationships to others: our spouse, our children, our neighbors — and our co-workers. We must remember this in order that our “work calling” does not become elevated at the expense of the other important aspects of our lives. This is the holistic approach to the gospel in which God made all of life equally important.

Therefore, the next time someone says, “I was called into the ministry” or “I am in full-time Christian work,” stop him or her and tell him or her we are all in full-time Christian work. There is no secular and religious in the economy of God. I have a dear friend who often says, “I am a servant of the living God masquerading as a dentist.” So, too, are you first a servant of the living God.