Ephesians 4:1-3: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
When they ask you what is your vocation, many of you would come back with the title you have in a company or what your skills are in a particular area. Many people mistake our work as our vocation. A vocation really needs to be the love of Jesus! Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his letters and papers from prison says, "It is not the religious act that makes the Christian, but participation in the sufferings of God in the secular life."
Meditate On This!
God has put you in a place that you can use your particular gifts for His calling - not yours. Yes, you need to make a living, but look around and ask, "Why has God put me in this place?" Sometimes it seems like a dungeon, other times it may feel like you are in a castle. However, in both God has a reason for putting you where you are. Our problem is we begin to look at the circumstance and sometimes forget about the One who put us in that circumstance. Dont forget that this goes along with contentment.
This week I want you to rethink your vocation and how can you honor your employer, but more importantly, honor Jesus Christ in the position He has put you.
I Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
This coming June, as in many years in the past, the Major League Baseball draft will occur. People will get together at the managerial level and, after much discussion with their scouting department, choose future players for their organization.
On the other end of the phone sits a young man and his parents waiting to hear a call. Will he be drafted? What team will take him? What round? Is he worth anything to the organization financially? It can be a time of intense anticipation, and the beginning of a whole new life for a young man.
Meditate On This!
You are a chosen people if you are in Christs family, a royal priesthood. And better than that, part of a holy nation belonging to God! He called you out of darkness and has given you life. As living stones, believers are placed in a new and significant relationship to Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone. They are members of this chosen group. As priests, they are given privileges in access to God. These are things for which you should rejoice. Think back to the time when Christ first called you. Think back to the privileges He has given you. Think back and meditate on how that should change your life today.
Jeremiah 1:4: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
The prophet Jeremiah was much wiser in his youth than I. As the Lord issued this marvelous mandate to be a special spokesman, Jeremiah recoiled in fear and with feelings of inadequacy. The fact of his young age was used as an attempt to excuse himself from the call of the Lord...He has entrusted the treasure of the gospel to us to proclaim. But we must realize that we are only jars of clay and that the all-surpassing power to save is from God and not from us (II Cor. 4:7)." Dave Sitton, Los Fresnos, TX
Meditate On This!
What has God appointed you to do for the Kingdom? He is the one that will accomplish all, but He wants to use you. Maybe today is to be a day of contemplative readjustment of your understanding of life goals. Maybe God has you exactly where He wants you...BE BOLD and don't be afraid to ask the hard questions this week.
John 1:43: "The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, Follow me."
"John with his brother James, were doubtless disciples of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and became disciples of the Lord Jesus when John the Baptist, with great humility, introduced them to his Master. A little later the Lord Jesus stopped by the fishing business in Galilee and called James and John to leave their secular occupations to follow Him in His ministry, and in turn, He prepared to assume great responsibility in the future proclamation of the Gospel. They left their nets immediately and set out upon their new venture with great zeal and confidence. With Peter and James, his brother, John was a part of the inner circle apostles who were given special privileges and responsibilities. John, in particular, entered into a special place of responsiveness and confidence to his Lord, and was referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved." Gordon Olson
Meditate On This!
Is God calling you to another level of commitment or even another position? Notice in Mr. Olsons writing, he talks about responsiveness and responsibility. There is great responsibility for us to carry the Gospel throughout our world. Maybe He is calling you to carry it out in your world. Today and this week, I want you to ask the question: "Why has God put me in this planet?" You should be safe enough in your relationship with your loving Father to ask that question. Is there another step He wants you to take? Perhaps more biblical knowledge; more biblical experience; missions; leaving your secular job for that of full-time ministry.
If God should choose to keep you in your present position, ask Him how you can be more effective for the sake of eternal things.
