Honouring Your Call - Part 2
/Last week I wrote about working to figure out, or discern, what God is calling you to do. I realize that the examples were specifically about serving within the church, and that many people are called to be a Christian witness at their day jobs or in secular organizations. Many people are called to fill a role in both places, volunteering in their congregation or the wider church as well as outside the church.
When you’ve figured out what your gifting is leading you to do to serve and what God might be asking of you, it is important to share this with someone and to figure out how to test that call. Testing helps to see if you got it right or need to tweak it or what else you might need. Perhaps you’ve already done a variety of things at church and that has given you a handle on what is next for you or in what area you flourish in serving. Our calling tends to be built up by small steps throughout our lives that point us in a direction and prepare us.
By sharing with someone wise who you trust what you are thinking about this, you do open the door to a reality check. This person may see more clearly from their perspective what fits for you (or not - listen for the Spirit carefully). They may point out that there are things you need to work on before you’re ready to do what you envision. If God is leading you towards something, there may be things along the way to complete so that you are strengthened, confident and capable to do the ‘big thing’.
It is tempting as we engage in this journey of self-discovery to fall into some traps. Particularly if we are really on fire with faith and passion, we can sabotage our good intentions. Here are some things to watch for and avoid:
Trying to do it all. We might feel that being ‘super Christian’ will allow us to gain experience we need quickly and by jumping on every opportunity we will get there faster. Instead, we can neglect critical things like self-care, family and other relationships, and our day jobs that pays the bills. We can also burn out. We are called to be wise not just in discerning what we’re called to do but in how we go about living into our calling.
Forgetting humility. Being invited to serve and have a role in a faith community can be exciting. Others who perceive our calling may respond with envy or treat us as a Messiah or anything in between. To serve well we need to get our ego out of the way and remember that everyone is called and important to the body of Christ. Even Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and lived humbly. Our journey is important and unique, but no more so than anyone else’s. If we’re doing this for applause we need to step back and consider why.
Being impatient. Figuring out a calling can take years. The work of preparing for that calling can take even more time. It can be tempting, especially in an anxious church environment, to want to jump ahead, taking on a role before we are equipped for it. This can result in not just disillusionment but harm for us and others. God’s timing is perfect and good things take time. Don’t rush ahead before all things are in place so that you can flourish.
Forgetting God. Living into a calling, whatever it is, doesn’t mean you have arrived. It doesn’t mean your need to lean into God goes away. If anything it requires you to spend even more time with God to make sure that as you do what you are meant to do, you are doing it God’s way. Honouring God is critical to living out a calling well.
We have all been chosen and called by God. This is something to celebrate! Living into our calling is an adventure and a privilege. As long as we are on the journey, we will always have something to learn and ways to grow better at our gifting and our ability to listen for God’s leading.
May you find peace in knowing that God can and will use you in ways that bless you and others.