“So how was it?” If I had $5 for every time someone has asked me that question over the last couple of weeks then I would have enough money to fund my flight for my next adventure to Honduras. How was it? It was life-altering…. It was world-wrecking…. It was perspective-shattering…. It was heart-changing… And it woke me up.
For five years after college I strived hard to build a career for myself that I truly didn’t even enjoy. I felt no sense of fulfillment or contentment in the work I was doing. But you go to college and get a job, that’s life and so that’s what I did. And I had it all. Not even 30 years old yet and I owned my own home, drove a convertible people envied, and was all set up with a 401K. I was balling, success was in the cards. So why wasn’t I ever happy?
BECAUSE I HAVE A CALLING! And yep, so do you! It is impossible to find happiness outside of the will of God, and I had never really bothered to ask Him what it was He wanted me to do until I reached a point of searching for joy and meaning in my life and He showed me that I possess a passion for missions.
Have you ever sat down and truly, with your heart open, asked the Father what He wants you to be doing? Have you ever asked Him what His purpose for your life is? Your calling may be to continue doing exactly what you are doing where God has you now, reaching out to neighbors and coworkers He has put in your path and supporting others who go into the world to make disciples. But maybe He has something greater for you, have you ever dared to ask? Do you see videos of missionaries and feel your soul leap with desire to go? Do you feel messages in your heart to share with God’s people from a pulpit or a song to sing to His flock? Maybe you have compassion for the homeless or your heart breaks for at-risk youth in your area. You know your neighbor doesn’t have a relationship with Christ and you burn to tell them your story? Whatever the case may be, He has a calling for each one of us. And whatever your calling is, you can rest assured in the goodness of our God that He will totally equip you to handle any work He has for you to do. After all, it is His kingdom work, so obviously He wants it done right! Remember, in His perfect love there is no room for fear!
Just look at when God calls Moses to lead His people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into a new, beautiful land God was giving to them. “But Moses protested to God, ‘who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ God answered, ‘I will be with you’…” Exodus 3:12 Moses is one of the greatest heroes of the bible and the cornerstone of the Jewish religion and law. If you know the end of the story, Moses did go to Pharaoh and he did lead the Israelites right out of Egypt, straight through the Red Sea actually. Miraculous. The work of God done through a man. But look back at the verse, Moses didn’t want to take on this job at all. He was afraid. He didn’t think himself worthy of such a task. But he said YES, and look at what God did through him. He shaped history. There are many other examples of regular joes who said YES to God’s calling and changed the world- Abraham, David, Paul…. JESUS!
This blog has not at all turned out to be what I thought my topic was when I sat down to type it, but this certainly isn’t the first time that has happened. So is this message for you? Do you know deep in your heart and that the life you are living is not the life God intended for you? Do you feel a stirring that you have a calling to something more, something greater? Then I encourage you today, say YES and see what life-altering, world-wrecking, perspective-shattering, heart-changing journey the Father wants to lead you on. Even if you know you are exactly on the path you should be on, look around you and see who else you need to be leading [discipling] down this path with you. We all have a mission. We all have a God given purpose. To quote a famous old slogan, “Just Do It!”.
*If your calling in God’s kingdom is to support those going out on the Great Commission into the nations and you would like to take part in what God is doing in Honduras by supporting me on my next mission, please click the “contact me” link on the left to find out how you can help.*
