Called

Called
by Jason Cruise

Hang around preachers long enough and you'll begin to hear the word "calling" come up quite often. Most every preacher you meet has his own story of how God called him into a career of ministry. I wonder, however, if the rest of the world ever thinks about God calling them to, well, anything at all.

While I know for certain that my call from God to full-time ministry was tangible, I am fully convinced that God doesn't just reserve calling to the prophetic fraternity. Why? Because Moses was an average guy. David was a shepherd, a livestock farmer. Amos was a grower of figs. Jonah was, well, anyway. Bad example. Jonah was looking for a way out of the whaling industry!

The Scriptures say that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14). God took time to make you, and God doesn't waste His energy to create a worthless product.

We are, every one, called to something. Calling is not a guarantee of success, or of failure. Calling is not exclusive to any group, like, say, pastors. Calling is, however, unique to you. Calling is not about the job itself. Calling is not about performance. Calling is about obedience.

The real issue at hand comes down to courage and guts. Do you have the fortitude to stay on a path when it gets hard, or to leave even though life is comfortable?

My calling has been, and will always be, the only constant thing I can truly depend on in terms of my career and my identity. My identity is shaped by the fact that God told me He wanted me walking a certain path, so I did it. You have the same calling. The context of the career may not be the same, but your decision about obedience to His call on your life is what's at stake.

Never be afraid to walk into the unknown when you are called to do it. It's there and only there, friend, that you'll find a freedom that transcends circumstance.

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