Struggling with a call

What does “a call” mean? In my experience, American church culture uses this phrase at different times to mean different things. I normally hear it concerning vocational ministry.  Someone is called to become a pastor or church staff member.  I sometimes hear it about someone being called to ministry, but not necessarily a church job.  I’ve heard it refer to a specific action or way to pray for someone. What are we talking about?

Our language about church is often an extension and reflection of the culture we live in.  In our culture, you want to develop a marketable skill.  The better you are at something, whether as a plumber, marketing, sales, or admin and the rarer the skill is, the better you will get paid.  Develop your one skill to a high level. Be the best at it! This can refer to a broad vocation, a specific action, or a specific role.

I find we bring this specialization language over to church.  I have taught it at church!  We phrase it as “find your gifting” or “find your calling”.  Do not worry about your weaknesses, focus on your strengths.  

I’m not sure how biblical this idea is.  On the one hand, Paul is pretty clear in 2Cor. 12 that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.  Yet we are also told to use our gifts and skills to fill the earth and subdue it, to do our part in building the kingdom (Gen. 1:28, Eph 4).  Which is it? 

Every human has a calling bestowed upon them by God.  We are imagers of God.  We are to show him to the world.  This is a calling of every human.  Unfortunately, most humans reject it. As Christians, we have embraced this calling.  It is not special or unique to certain members of the church.  We are all called to make disciples.  We are all called to love our neighbors.  We are all called to love God.  

This is a holistic calling.  We are supposed to do it all.  We are supposed to be imitators of Christ.  Christ did it all.  Eph. 4 does tell us that some are called to certain roles.  They have gifts and strengths that are different from others.  That does not alleviate the call of each of us to fulfill our roles.  Just because someone is a better cook than me does not mean I never cook.  

This is very counter-cultural.  This is not like a company where you do your part and I do my part.  If you do not do your part, that is not my problem.  Don’t worry about others.  Concentrate on your skills.  

We are all doing the same job, the same calling, as every other believer.  We may do it differently and will certainly do it in different places, but we are all doing it.  It does get more specific based on where God has planted you.

You are not called to be a witness to my neighbors.  I am there.  It is my calling.  I might ask you to come help show me how. That does not and should not relieve me of my burden to do the work. Supporting a vocational minister does not relieve you of the call to make disciples.  Your vocation is one place where you can also fulfill your call.  

What about weaknesses or strengths? It’s both! God wants to work with us to build His kingdom through loving others. We rule with Him! We do this well when we work in our strengths while allowing the Holy Spirit to work through our weaknesses. We find our gifting, supporting the body of Christ as we are called while also humbly serving, even if it’s an area of weakness. We do not worry about the right “season”, we just serve!

Over the past two years, I have struggled with a new calling and struggled in life.  God met me and called me to a specific role; help each generation rediscover wisdom.  The call was extremely clear, but it wasn’t the right season for me (please hear the sarcasm!).

I am certain that part of my struggle over the past two years is because I have dragged my feet.  The last year has been the hardest in my life.  There has been a change at work.  Fostering has been a challenge.  My eldest graduated.  I feel like I have experienced more change in my life in this past year than any year prior, yet I can look and see bigger changes previously. Why did this feel worse?

As I look back to previous times of tumult, I can say for certain that I was following God’s call in my life.  While that did not make the trials easier, they did not feel as difficult.  I was operating in areas of strength. Now, God is teaching me to operate in areas of weakness. The Holy Spirit will bring the fruit. It requires an active patience and an energetic rest.

There have been many excuses to postpone submission.  I just need to finish this project.  I need to learn more.  I need to help these kids in need.  I need to do certain tasks at my job.  All of these excuses are true and important.  God did not beat me over the head and punish me.  He left me to experience the consequences of my decisions. I had my only little day of the Lord.  

Even knowing this, it is hard to begin.  Where to begin?  What do I start with?  Am I conflating my job with my calling? 

I struggle greatly with this calling.  I feel very much like Moses.  Are you sure you have the right guy?  I know lots of guys better qualified than me.  Why would anyone care what I have to say?

I’m going to leave this question right here and ask for your prayers.  I’ll let you into my thought process as I seek God and sharpen my discernment.  Let me know if you hear from him! Fulfilling our calling, both as imagers and in specific roles, works best when we do it together!