May 7 Personal Call

Ephesians 3:7-9 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
 
DO you have a personal calling statement? I’ve joined with some men in past years to help us understand God’s particular call on our personal lives. We worked through an understanding of what God had gifted us to do, given us to do and pointed us to do as we each looked at our life’s pattern. We chose particular Scriptures that have personally impacted us. We discerned how we perceived God was pointing us to live into our lives now and into the future as husbands, fathers and church leaders. In all of this process, we each wrote a personal calling statement that helps us to know who we are in God’s Kingdom. One value in knowing this is that it helps us make decisions about our next steps. Considering God’s call helps us to know how we are to more personally walk with God.
    You could say Ephesians 3:7-9 are a form of the Apostle Paul’s personal calling statement. He affirms that God had given to him the work to minister the gospel. An important part of his ministry was to “preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” in order to “bring the light to everyone”. Paul confirms he is God’s appointed apostle to bring the gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles. This is his call that he first heard in Jesus’ power converting him to walk with Jesus: Acts 9:5-6 And Paul said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”   
    Do you hear that? Jesus said, “You will be told what you are to do.” Jesus effectually told Paul there was a new authority in his life. Paul no longer got to make decisions about what his life would be. Christ became not only his Savior, but Christ became Paul’s authority. And so it must be for each of us who say, “I’m a Christian.”
    Paul affirmed to the Gentiles he was ministering through his writings and his preaching of the true gospel. His work is grounded not in his own desires but in God’s directives. Paul has been made alive in Jesus, and his personal calling statement was to preach to the Gentiles.
    What has God told you that you must do? If you do not know, this is a good time to know. Reflect on your life. What have you enjoyed doing? What are you good at doing? Where is your heart’s desire? Seek God and know how he is forming you. Learn his call on your life. Then do it.
 
Prayer: Humble me, Jesus, to receive your teaching. Strengthen me to say, “Yes, Lord. Here am I.” In the Spirit’s power I pray, amen.