Where has God called you?
First, all of us are called to Him. To acknowledge that we are sinners in need of Jesus to save us.
After we answer that most important call, we are all uniquely called to different things; at different stages of life. He has bestowed on us different talents and gifts to be used in delight and glory for Him. While it is exciting to answer our unique call, we need to be aware of a few snares satan sets for us:
We answer a call but run too hard and fast after it. We may try to grip it too tightly, worry about it, obsess over it, and seek it for our inner fulfillment. All the while running at break neck pace we say: “I am just doing what God called me to!” I can imagine God sitting back and saying something like this- Yes, I called you to that, but calm down a bit! You are trying to take matters into your own hands. You may be really excited about it, but don’t focus on your unique role here on earth more than you focus on your unique identity: a child of God. If you focus so intently on this and forget the most important thing (delighting in Me), your heart will run farther and farther into things that are not eternal.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-2
We become obsessed with expected outcomes and worry when they don’t play out the way we think they should: I personally get really excited and passionate about running after something God has called me to. But, in my desire to work for Him, I can accidentally make it about the work and the outcome, instead of an act of worship to my Savior. In my ere, I begin believing I am a failure if it doesn’t play out the way I was expecting. Then I begin worrying that I have failed God. God doesn’t ask us to worry over outcomes. He doesn’t ask us to perform for Him. He simply asks us to love Him with our whole heart. Seek Him. Delight in Him. He knows what we need. He knows what we need. When we wipe our eyes from the muddy expectations that we have set our gaze on, and instead look to Him, all the things we need will be added to us. There is enough problems in today to worry about all the problems of tomorrow. Take one day at a time, seek God, expect Him to show up, then live freely in today as an act of worship–not an act of approval.
“…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:32-34
We get lazy and fail to plan: When we step into a God given calling, it can be easy to think everything will go well. We simply can skip along and have fun following wherever the breeze blows. We don’t need to do anything…it’s a calling from God right?! While we do need to trust God and avoid worrying, we also need to plan and take care of what He has given us to steward. We need to be prepared in what we are doing, not slack depending on God to do all the work. He does work in ways we will never understand, but in His Word He does also tell us to plan and be diligent. Everything we have is from God, and we are called to steward it well. We should make plans, but hold them loosely. Walking through doors that open, while being content where we are when doors close. This is a balance we grow in as we grow in our reliance on the Spirit’s direction.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Matthew 25:1-9
No matter where we are in our unique calling and role; God asks us to look to Him above all else. Everyday we get the opportunity to delight in Him and love Him with our whole heart. The more we lean into this command, over anything else, the more we will live our lives based on God’s wisdom–not our own. We don’t have to worry about tomorrow, or obsessively plan, or throw our hands up and glide. We can instead continually turn our eyes to Him. The One who loves and guides us oh so much.
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