“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10
In the millennial crowd, “calling” is a common topic. We use it a lot to explain the way God is nudging us to partner with Him. In the missions world, we say things like “God called me overseas” or “God called me to ministry.”
But if I’m honest with you, I’m not sure if we have to be “called.”
Why? Because I think it often implies you have to hear God through a burning bush, talking donkey or booming voice to know with certainty what you’re supposed to do. I say that knowing and believing that God can and does speak to some of us in that way, but I haven’t personally experienced it.
Some people do feel called to a specific place or people group, but for others, calling looks more like consistent movement in the same direction that leads them to a certain ministry.
Audible or not, this truth remains: God calls us each to good works.
I can say that confidently as I write this for a mission agency I’m passionate about even though a Damascus road experience didn’t lead me to work here (Acts 9). I just happened to pass by a building and curiosity drove me to Google. I landed on East-West’s website, my position was open, I prayed, interviewed and was offered the job.
No burning bush. No talking donkey. No audible confirmation. Just an opened door and a choice to walk through it.
Nearly three years later, I’m confident God wired me for this job. He prepared me for this role before the foundation of the world and I truly love getting to tell the story of how He is moving mightily among the nations.
But I never heard a specific “call” that we often believe is necessary for action.
My fear is that this idea can easily turn into an excuse to choose comfort rather than getting out of the boat and trusting God. We get so concerned about taking a wrong step that we forget faith is about leaping into uncertainty to see God move and use us for His glory.
Truthfully, it comes down to believing God will redirect us if we’re on the wrong path. That’s what good fathers do.
As for God’s will, He makes it pretty clear, especially when it comes to His passionate pursuit of the nations. From cover to cover, the Bible is a story of God’s redemption of every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9).
Simply put: you are called to make disciples somewhere.
My encouragement to you today is to not get so fixated on the idea of a calling that you stop yourself from walking through doors that aren’t labeled with a neon sign.
He wants you to tell people from every corner of the globe about His goodness and grace. Dive in and give Him the chance to use you. You may stick with one ministry for life or you may move from one to another until He calls you home.
The important thing is that you activate your gifts and talents for His glory.
So … what’s your next step?
