What is my Calling?

A lot of people ask this question: "What is my calling?"

It is a wonderful thing for a person to realize that they are called into some sort of Godly service. By asking this question, it is obvious that such a person is committed, or at least preparing to commit, to a life in Christ. No doubt, there is much to be celebrated in this.

That being said, we must still clarify for those who don't know, and correct those who think they know, what "calling" really means.

In the Old Testament, God simply called people into ministry. He called Abraham to be the father of a nation. He called David to be the King of Israel. The question, "What is my calling", may easily imply that we have a choice in the matter. This is far from the case in the Old Testament. People who are "called" did not discern God's will or deliberate on what their paths were, they were simply sent. At times, they were even put in ministry situations against their own will.

In the New Testament, "calling" was not understood as a "vocation" or "ministry". Rather, "calling", or klesis, was used in terms of a relationship with God (1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29; 2 Corinthians 1:2). This means that calling, much like the Old Testament understanding, is not preceded by a process of discerning God's will, nor is it a means in pointing us towards some particular ministry. The New Testament understanding of "calling" is only about living under the grace of God.

He who has saved us, and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 1 Timothy 1:9

How and why is this important?

It's important because everything must start with the cross. We hold on to the truth that it is by faith alone, and not by our works. It's important because we can now stop asking the question "What is my calling?", and by faith alone say "I AM CALLED!"

So what about ministry?

After Dr. Gregory House's leg was healed in Episode 1 of Season 3, in the joy of being healed he relentlessly exercised his leg. In the same way, in the joy of being healed (or called) by Christ we relentlessly exercise our spirit.

Only then can we ask the right question(s). Professor John Bowen suggests asking these specific questions about ministry: What are my gifts? What gifts do others see in me? Will the church recognize and bless the exercise of my gifts, and if so how? What gifts do I lack, and therefore what kind of gifts do other leaders around me need to have?

I hope that this explains some things. But more than that, I pray that we can be joyful together in serving the Lord.