REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES
Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG | “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV | “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
OBJECTIVE
To realise that God has created each person uniquely, with different experiences and plans yet for the same purpose to glorify Him. Knowing that our calling is not only something far off but one we fulfill every day.
CONTENT
WHY AM I HERE?
- We were made by God and for God. Until we understand that, our lives will not make sense. Take comfort knowing that our creator made us for a purpose, and we are not to walk aimlessly by ourselves, seeking to find meaning from this noisy world. We are not a product of random atoms colliding, but of a grand design and specific purpose by God.
- This gives us the conviction to go through each day with joy and excitement knowing that we are made for a bigger purpose. To live for the Lord daily. Our experiences, joys and pains shape who we are and nothing goes in vain. The very fact that we’re alive makes our lives meaningful. Knowing our why and what to look forward to makes all the sacrifices and hardships of the pursuit worthwhile.
- A true understanding of calling recognizes that we are called not for mere personal gratification but for the good of others. We find and fulfill our callings by identifying needs and how we can be of greatest service to others wherever He places us, be it in a family, a job, a church, etc and to glorify God through it all. (Matthew 20:28)
- A large part of the angst that has characterized us has been due to the assumption that we have to grab hold of our calling—or else it could slip away, forever gone. We’d be fearful of wasting our lives because we hadn’t been decisive enough to know what God had called us to. This is needless pressure.
- Whether we’re talking about the church we’ll join, the city we’ll live in, or the vocational path we’ll pursue, we plan our ways, but he establishes our steps (Prov. 16:9). It’s in our doing that God makes his calling clear.
WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?
- We tend to think of calling as something grandeur in the future, yet we are called to glorify God with all our hearts and all our might every single day. Look at our lives, apart from sin our calling is whatever our lives consist of right now. God always provides us with everything we need for the day and it is our job to tend to it as good as possible and to be faithful with whatever is given right now.
- One way to discover our calling is to figure out our spiritual gifts, to reflect and pray on it, as to what our gifts are and to where it can best serve Him and others. God is not calling us to do something He has not gifted us to do (1 Peter 4:10-11). He will enable us as we pursue His calling daily, our part is to take courage and step into it boldly.
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This combination may perhaps help to reflect on our callings:
o We experience certain compassion that moves our heart deeply when we see particular needs of the world.
o We experienced a pain that resonates with us deeply, one that moves us to serve people who are experiencing the same pain
o We possess practical skills and abilities that are especially helpful in accommodating needs.
o We have growing and recurring interests that lead to more awareness of those needs.
o We realize our heart’s desire for the work of mission - to spread the Good News - deepens in our places of activities.
o There are multiple affirmations and confirmations from our local church and fellow believers for the things that we do. - Above everything, we want to see the glory of God celebrated in the world. Ask ourselves: am I being led to what would glorify God the most?
- There might be a bigger vision and calling that God has placed in our hearts for the future to come, but know that in the process, in the day to day of pursuing it is also God’s calling to us. To live each day with a purpose and conviction knowing that no day goes in vain and that every day is a calling from God to glorify Him with what we are entrusted with.
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you think is your calling right now? How did you come to that conclusion?
- How, with your existing abilities and opportunities, can you be of greatest service to others, knowing what you do would glorify God?
REFERENCES