God Has A Calling For You

   I am certain that God gives every one of His children a calling. A mission specifically designed just for them to learn to follow and serve Him. A mission which uses the unique gifts that God has given each one. Our callings are what moves us from the point of salvation, when we are "baby Christians", to developing more and more spiritual maturity and understanding. Jesus calls us, and we follow. Following, we learn and grow.

   "Follow me," Jesus said... Matt. 4:19

   Christ's callings come in all sizes. Not one is more important than the next, for each is needed by God. Also, the purest value of the gifts we give Him are in the willingness and cheerfulness of our giving. But they are all for spiritual growth, in the giver, and in the one being given to.

   A calling for an older, homebound, or disabled person might be simply to give smiles to others. A smile can be a turning point in someone's life. Sometimes a simple, warm smile can change a terribly lonely and unloved person from wanting to die, to wanting to live after all. No one should ever underestimate the power of a smile.

   A calling, especially during the first years of a marriage, is to learn to be unselfish in your love for your spouse. It is not easy to become accepting of your spouse's attitudes and ways of life that are very different from your own. It can be a bitter disappointment to learn that you can only change yourself; never the other person. And it is amazingly difficult to come to care more about your spouse's happiness, than your own. These are things that do not come naturally. These are spiritual evidences of your love for God. And believe me, this is a mission that takes long and hard work. No human will even know about it, but you can be very sure that God does. He is right there, working with you, to help you learn. And with God knowing about it, your awareness of His deep pleasure in you, should be all the reward you need. Also, as you grow to be a sweeter person, your spouse will notice, and things will become happier for both of you.

   The calling for a busy mother of little ones is God, her husband, and then her children, in that order. Her mission is to be the best wife and mother she can be, with God's divine help. Nothing else is as important for her. Not working for the church or the community, or anything else at all. Her main calling is to be the most loving, unselfish, understanding wife she can be, and to bring up her children to obey her, and learn to know, love, and obey the Lord. This is the only way she can give her children a happy and blessed adulthood. As they grow older, perhaps time will open up so that she can take time to include other things.

   Callings for some are significant and obvious. There are Pastors and their wives; evangelists; people who spend endless, needed hours volunteering in their church; people who visit old people in nursing homes, or people in prisons, telling them of the Lord; those who feed homeless street people, telling them of the Lord; and missionaries all over the world.

   Some people sing in great choirs, sing beautifully for the Lord on the radio or in church, put on fabulous Christian performances or hold marvelous revival meetings for thousands. And of course, with television, Christ reaches people around the world. All have very evident and noticeable callings.

Jesus calls us over the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless, sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, "Christian, follow Me!"

   However, it is important to remember that not all callings are conspicuous, and many are not even known by anyone but God. The work He performs within your soul, your spirit, is a silent development, much like a seed beneath the ground in the spring. Only God knows that the seed has sprouted, and may turn into a tree that bears much fruit.

   I can't tell you how many people have told me that although they recognized that I had a calling, (that of adopting a large family of children with disabilities, and raising them to know the love of God) they had not been given a calling at all. Sometimes this was said with resentment, or injured feelings. A few even expressed jealousy, I'm truly sad to say. That was such a grave misunderstanding! It is so important to realize that all Christians have a calling.

   The other thing is to realize that it may not just be one! You may experience two, or many callings throughout your life. Some may be simultaneous. When my youngest children were nearly grown, I experienced several years of feeling quite lost, as though God was through with me somehow, though I knew that could not be true. Then I realized two things. He was calling me to spend some time quietly, with Him, listening for guidance through the Holy Spirit. And He began to lead me to write what He had taught me, and was particularly teaching me at that time.

   It was an amazing concept to realize that during this intermission, I was simply to sit quietly and spend time in tune with my Heavenly Father. Never had I heard of such a thing, nor could I ever have thought of it, that He would desire this of me.

   It was my tears of lostness that drew me closer to His side, and in my solitude, I began to listen. My normal prayers changed to prayers interspersed with silences, while I actually looked at the sky, yearning for His guidance for my life. It was then that He began to show me what my next calling was to be.

   Of course, I still had my first one. I had six adult children still home, who were disabled. But that one did not fill up my time any more. I had a second one as well. I had remarried, after twenty-three years of single motherhood. Now that was different. The lessons on how to become a good wife were a huge mission indeed. However, part of what I learned, was how much time I was going to be spending by myself, while my husband was busy with other things.

   It was during those alone times, that God showed me the calling that moved me the most. It was the Holy Spirit helping me to know that He wanted me to stop my continual work, and sit down quietly in His presence, so He could communicate with me. I was awed, humbled, and ultimately deeply blessed.

   A solitary person's calling, at least for a period of time, might be simply to spend time with the Lord. There are many examples in the Bible, of one of God's people being led to a solitary place in life, where they were alone with God. There was a purpose in that.

   The main thing is this: always know that if you are saved, you have a calling. There is something God wants you to do for Him. If you can't figure out what it could be, spend silent time with Him, trying to listen. The Bible says God speaks in a still, small voice, and it is true. He does not force Himself on us. He waits until we are still, and directing our attention to Him, becoming willing to listen. That is when we can become aware of His guidance.

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
"Christian, love Me more than these!"

   If you don't know what God wants you to do, there is a solid place to begin.

   Bring yourself to the awareness of one single thing in which you are resentful or non-forgiving. Perhaps it is a thing in which you are selfish, and unable to show kindness.

   Pick one, so as not to be overwhelmed. Start out with a single goal. Tell God that you are willing to change this thing in you, which is lacking. Or, if you aren't willing, but are willing to become willing, tell Him that. After all, you can't lie to God. But if you are willing in the tiniest way, He will work with you. One single goal can be a calling. It may be the beginning of a greater calling, like a seed being planted.

   We are all, as Christians, equally important, treasured, and needed by God. All of the things He calls us to do are equal in value, in His eyes.

   It does not matter at all, what the world thinks is valuable. The world's value system is distorted beyond repair. Society uses superficial things like money, fame, or higher education, to place a value on people. God does not. God uses our inner lives, valuing things such as humility, compassion, selflessness, and forgiveness. But regardless of what kind of people we are, or how much we have learned so far, in the spiritual areas, we are all equally important, treasured, and needed by God.

   What does He want most from us? Our love.

   What happens when you love someone? You want to make them happy.

   Love is the root of all joy, and God is the root of all love.

   You can begin right away, wherever you are. Start to search out your calling. Listen for the Holy Spirit, and He will guide you. You are very important to God. Always remember that, my friend.

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
Savior may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.

Cecil Alexander 1852