Desire and Calling: And Why Every Day’s Work is A Calling

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 1Co 7:20  

As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. Pro 27:8  

The Other Meanings of Ministry

What is a calling? Nothing gives a new convert headache like that question. But I believe a calling is something which unfolds on a daily basis. So Paul began as Silas and a persecutor of Jesus Christ once. But later Silas became Paul as he now settled fully into his final calling.

The easiest way to go about it is to accept where you are now as your calling – so long as it is not something evil. As it is written, ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning’ (Jas 1:17)  

We all started our calling in life as children. Then we grew up, and some veered towards the humanities and others sciences, and some became fathers and others mothers – and still others as singles – and many other professions and occupations.

The thing is to treat where you are now as your calling – as a sacrifice – and then do it happily as unto the Lord.

Having that kind of attitude also helps take away the drudge and monotony of daily life. Hence we are ambassadors and witnesses of Christ. Our whole life as a Christian therefore is an epistle or a letter ‘written’ by God and which is ‘read’ by all people.

God is the husbandman (farmer), and in a farm there are lots of works to be accomplished on a daily basis. So what do you feel he has called you to accomplish for him today? Then do it without doubt – and do it with all your might.

So you are a housewife and you are angry with yourself that you are ‘only a housewife’? Change that attitude today and begin to see yourself as a minister of God (as your pastor is!)

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph 2:18-22  

And because it is written again: ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God [giving no offence]’ (1Co 10:31). 

In Life You Will Not Always Get What You Desire

And so it will not always be that job which satisfies, or that woman, or that man, or that house and place where we stay. But remember God does not say no to our desires to spite us, but he does so to give us something better, or to fix a part in us which was about to fall.

That is how we are able to love people who are unlovable in this world – or to live lives which (on the surface) seem hungry. It is the calling. And always it flowers into a rose in the end.

‘What do you have which you didn’t receive?’ asked the apostle. So give back that love, that mercy, that hope and that understanding…

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2Co 5:14-15  

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2Co 5:18-19  

So be ready for any eventuality, in season and out of season. No calling is ever easy. But the joy comes in the doing… in the walk… in the journey.

Have you never heard someone (slapping his forehead) and confessing to you later that ‘I had heard this voice but I refused…!’ or ‘I had had that idea once but I let it…’

Just don’t be the one slapping your forehead next time!

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Rom 12:4-8  

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 1Co 12:4-5  

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 1Co 12:6 

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1Co 10:33