Menu
The way some Christians today view a calling, it’s a life-long commitment to being who God wants you to be and doing what God wants you to do.
When I started out writing, editing, and publishing books, I wasn’t looking for a calling. But, more than one person seemed to think I had found it.
Me? I struggled with the concept because marketing and editing was hard and I didn’t enjoy it. At times, writing seemed to take me away from the things I wanted to do. I knew writing for God’s glory is a noble calling. He gave me a gift for story creation, which ought to be used to draw others to Him.
But, was writing really the calling the Lord had given me?
I didn’t want it to be. I wanted something steady, constant, permanent. A calling that wouldn’t shift, disappoint, or disappear. A calling that gave me the security that I knew I was walking in God’s will and bringing Him joy.
Have you wondered if writing is your calling? Are you searching for an eternal calling like I was?
Oh, let me share the amazing things the Lord taught me!!
I had searched, asked, and pondered what my calling could possibly be to no avail.
Until God showed me Romans 1:6, “You also were among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
I felt like shouting for joy. I am called to belong to Jesus Christ! Belonging to Jesus Christ is my eternal calling! It is a calling of faith in Him and of commitment to Him. It’s perfect, unchanging, and wonderful – because HE is!
Paul urged us, “live a life worthy of the calling you received.” He goes on to describe the way we out to live in Ephesians 4-6. (I encourage you to read it!) You see, those who belong to Jesus Christ become like Jesus Christ. That’s also part of our calling (2 Peter 1:3-11).
Just like salvation, this belonging and becoming isn’t of our own strength, power, or will. God called us to Himself through the Son, and that is why we belong to Him (John 6:44). By His power, God transforms us into the image of the Son, for His glory (Romans 8:29).
What, then, is writing?
A talent.
“Again, (the kingdom of heaven) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with two talents gave two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.”
To the servants who had put their talents to work and gained more, the man said, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant” and gave them charge over cities.
But, to the servant who had buried his talent and returned it, the man said, “You wicked, lazy servant!” and the talent was taken.
(Read Matthew 25:14-30; also Luke 19:11-27.)
We are all given by God talents to use for His glory, each being given a measure in accordance to his ability by God’s grace (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
To one He gave five, to another two, and yet another only one. But the expected return of these talents was equally valuable to the King. If He gives me only one, who am I to argue? Should I see my talent as less important?
Nope. I should take it and put it to use right away!
The King expects a return from the gift. He expects us to invest ourselves in the talent and gain more.
Don’t compare your talent or work to another’s. Be confident that our God, who gave you the gift, will bless your efforts for His glory (2 Corinthians 9:8-9).
Don’t bury your talent. Don’t fear men. Don’t put it aside for later, because we don’t know how much time we have!
Instead, use the talent immediately. Fear God and obey Him; work as unto Him. Invest in it now, even if it isn’t professional, perfect, or planned out. It’s what those who belong to Jesus Christ do.
These are the things my Faithful Father taught me. He was patient; it took two years.
These are the truths which have transformed my heart, mind, soul, and actions: I am called to belong to Jesus Christ; I am commanded to put my talent to use; I am never alone – God, to Whom I belong, guides me each step of the way.
And these truthful words are yours also! God has called you “by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3) to belong to Him!
I pray you will be encouraged by God our Father to answer the true, eternal calling of your life. It’s constant, eternal, and unchanging, because He is.