Are You Living Your Calling?

Picture by Gala Rutledge

Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

As the pace of life continues to move us ever more speedily forward and we get closer to the Christmas season, I encourage each of you to remain dedicated and make sure you are spending regular and meaningful time with the Lord. This world has a tendency to get people preoccupied with the incidentals and if not committed to spending time with the Lord we could lose sight of God’s will and desires for your life. As mentioned in our opening scripture from Psalm, our days have been ordained by our Creator and we have a purpose. Not just a purpose to exist and claw our way through life, but a purpose to live above and not below, overcoming adversity and glorifying God and our Savior Jesus Christ each and every day. As is outlined in 2 Corinthians 5:20, we are God’s ambassadors in this world, and we should be committed to sharing the Gospel through our words and deeds (Colossians 3:17).

Bringing God’s good news to those around us is not always easy and as we continue to see in the media, the sharing of the gospel can be persecuted and discriminated against. I am continually amazed by the bias in this world against Christians and Jews, but then I remember what we have that the rest of the world does not, one God, the Creator and Sustainer of all and His Son Jesus Christ who brought the gift of salvation and Peace to all!

As we prepare for and celebrate the Holiday season, I encourage you to remember we have an adversary, and his name is satan. In his fallen state, satan would have each of us believe we are meaningless without purpose, and we evolved through time without relevance or meaning. The intent of this fallen world and the director of evil is to downplay and sidetrack a believer’s part to play in bringing God’s Word and the salvation of Jesus Christ to those around us.

When we as Christians discuss bringing God’s Word and the good news of Jesus Christ to those around us, we tend to turn our attention to the Church and what we can do in service to the church. I do agree, church and our affiliation with a Bible believing church are a part of our spiritual growth and enhancement (Hebrews 10:25), but the point of today’s message is to remind each of us, that our service and ability to share the gospel does not stop at the doors of a church. When you read the Bible and the New Testament, the early men of faith, prophets, Jesus, the Apostles and later the Disciples did not stay in a church building, they went to the street, to the people to share the Good News, but more importantly they lived what they preached.

That is the topic today, living what we believe. Our sharing of the gospel does not stop when we leave the church and is certainly not only important when at church. In continuation to Psalm 139 above, you could say we were created to do good works on this earth. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Interesting, Psalm 139 states your days were ordained, or planned and written in God’s book while Ephesians clarifies to state in Christ Jesus, we were created to do good works.

Life has a way of over glorifying the definition of good works. We have a tendency to think more grand or showy than what I believe God intended. This world through movies, social media and tv tend to upscale the glamour and notoriety that comes with doing good. Our expectations when we accomplish something tend to look toward a “Person of the Year” award or making sure everyone knows about it through pictures on Instagram or retweets on Twitter, aka the Musk gram. John 21:25 states this world could not contain all the good things Jesus did. What that relays to me is, He, Jesus did good in all His ways. He was committed, in and out of the synagogue to do good. I find this fascinating because it is counter intuitive to the instruction of this world. This world presses believers to leave our good deeds at church and be like the world when at work, around our family or in society. This message is from the heart to remind each of its readers, this life and more importantly Jesus Christ are about the little things. The small gestures, service and love that we can share along the way as believers while glorifying God in our words and deeds. Each day we have opportunities to be the difference, show God’s love, patience and forgiveness and allow His presence to give meaning to each interaction we experience. We do not often think about it, but each interaction is an experience for the people involved. We have the opportunity to make a difference with the person assisting us at a store, fellow co workers and especially our family. My question to each of us, are we the difference or the hinderance?

My prayer today is that this message would encourage you to be Christ in all you do. Not just church, but everyone around you should see Christ at work in you and through you. James 2:17 goes on to say works actually prove our faith and faith without works is dead. This is an area you have to be careful and make sure you maintain the correct perspective. Christianity is an inward out relationship with Jesus Christ. What I mean is our salvation starts with the renewing of our hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT) tells us, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” When our hearts are renewed and we fully take hold of who we are in Christ, it brings with it a desire to serve. This servant spirit is brought forth and overflows from a renewed and abundant heart.

Prior to Jesus Christ, religions were based on works and physical efforts. Beliefs were based on how well a person could hold to the law or follow their traditions and customs. This is a forced obedience, and, in that submission, you do not find the sincerity to serve with a love from the heart. You find service out of demand and in this fashion, you do not have the compassion and inward desire that is described in Ezekiel above. When your heart is renewed and a new spirit born within you, you cannot help but serve and be a light to this dark world. Your very day is based on opportunities to show your faith through works, not for salvation but because of salvation. Matthew 5:14-16 states,” You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our walk, our servitude and our very being on this earth should be for the glorification and recognition of God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we receive Jesus as the Lord of our lives, our hearts are renewed and as Isaiah 1:19-20 states,” If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”

If you are willing and obedient, that is the question. We can receive Jesus as our Savior, but in order to fulfill the role you were created for, you must be willing to make Him Lord. Lord over your decisions, actions, words and life. Lord over the places you go, people you associate with and discipline to live a life committed to His will and commands. This is not always easy, but in Him and His gift of the Holy Spirit, it is possible and attainable.

Be blessed and may your days be filled with Joy and your heart with servitude! Shalom!!