1 Thessalonians 5:4-28 Do you know what you are called to do on this earth? We all as believers have common callings such as being witnesses in this earth, lights shining in the midst of darkness, salt to give flavor and preserve the lives of others by introducing them to Christ and discipling them. I believe, however, that each believer has a specific calling from God on his life.
What is a calling? A calling is the point where your passion meets a place of great need. A calling is not a vocation. It is not an office in the church, or even one of the fivefold ministries (teacher, evangelist, preacher, apostle and prophet). A calling is a common thread that gathers the various seasons and events of your life into one beautiful garment tailor-made for you—a garment that displays God’s glory in a unique way. Let me share with you how God revealed His calling to my family members and myself. Discovering your own personal calling involves asking, seeking and knocking in prayer and then listening for the answer.
When my boys were very young, I asked the Lord to show me their calling in life. As I sought the Lord in prayer, He shared the following with me: “I have called your oldest son, Russ, to be a bridge between races.I have called your middle son, Ron, to be a bridge between nations.I have called your youngest son, Ray, to be a bridge between families.”
I shared this word from the Lord with each of the boys, and all three are fulfilling their God-given call. Later I discovered the Hebrew word for priests is bridge. One morning as I was waking from a deep sleep, I heard a whisper in my ear. I knew it was the Lord, and He was calling me “Jochabed.” I heard, “Wake up, Jochabed.” I didn’t know who Jochabed was, but I knew the Lord was calling me by a new name. I looked Jochabed up in the Bible and found she was the mother of Aaron and Moses—the first priests. God had called me to be a mother of priests (bridges).
My husband discovered his calling while seeking the Lord alone on Stone Mountain. He heard the Lord call him Joseph. We looked up Joseph in Hebrew and found it means “provider.” Then as we researched we discovered that three Josephs in the Bible were all providers: Joseph, Israel’s son, provided food for his whole family and all of Egypt during a famine; Joseph, the guardian father of Jesus, provided a home and nurturing for Jesus in His childhood; and Joseph of Arimathea provided the tomb for Jesus. My husband’s motivational gift is giving.
I discovered my own calling when I asked the Lord which part of the body I was. Was I a foot, eye, hand or what? I heard in my spirit He had called me to be a voice, and then I remembered this was the call of John the Baptist—a voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” This call has taken many forms in my life—teaching, writing, singing, etc. Ask the Lord today what your call is. As you ask, seek and knock, you will discover your own calling.
READ: Jeremiah 19:1-21:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 25:8-10
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