“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
Probably the most common question I hear from a Christian is, “How do I know what God is calling me to do?” It’s a tough question. It’s something that isn’t always obvious to you, and yet could be to other people around you. Sometimes there are folks who push us to serve God in a capacity never meant for us, just to fill a need. Sometimes we move around doing different things in the body, and all of the sudden we realize that we are in a position that we are very good at and there is a great need for. Sometimes we are doing exactly what God has called us to do, but we haven’t realized it yet. How often do we spend so much time trying to figure out what our call is that we miss all of the opportunities at hand to help us prepare for that call?
I belonged to a wonderful church in Chino Valley, AZ that made the decision to feed the community at Thanksgiving. Everyone was invited, at no cost to them, no preaching, just food and a little gift bag. It was an amazing time for the entire church as they came together to make this event happen. For months food was collected, assignments made, food handler cards obtained, and teams organized. It wasn’t a large church, but it had a big heart with a big vision.
During those months of preparation everyone in that small church had to pull together to make such an extravagant event come together to bring the blessing to the community. Every person had to recognize those called to authority and submit to those people’s callings, as they found where they fit in best for this particular event. There were those who donated or collected food. Those who cleaned, prepared, sorted, and cooked the food. There were those who made the dining area beautiful and inviting. There were those who greeted the guests, helped people park, ushered folks to the food tables and made people comfortable. There were those who stepped in, at any place along the way, into any position that needed extra help; they saw a need and they filled it. There were those who interceded in prayer for weeks prior to the event and all the way through until the rooms were clean and the doors locked. Then there were those who kept records and notes and started the planning procedure for the following year’s event. It was, and continues to be, a life changing event.
Our scripture reference is a perfect formula for the preparing and executing of an event like the one described above, or any type of event where a large (or small) group of people need to come together to bring a wonderful program to others, whether churched or unchurched. Perhaps you will give me the grace to paraphrase the scripture to explain what I mean.
“I ask that you would work together on any event to which you have been requested, not lifting yourself up to a position for which you feel you deserve, but graciously accepting any position that those in authority feel you are best fitted to perform. Work together with humility, gentleness, patience; encouraging one another through prayer and word, and honoring each other’s duties and assignments with Christian love. Keep in mind the final goal, working hard for the souls that will be touched and drawn to salvation, as you remember the Spirit that guides each and every saint through the bond of peace.”
I wonder how many times we get so caught up in wanting to know what God has specifically called us to do, that we completely miss the fact that He has called us to be bondservants, working diligently together, to further the Gospel and honor the lost and hurting (1 Peter 3:8, 1 Cor 1:10). Hebrews 12:1 tells us to set aside every weight (anything that might hold us back) and run, with patience, the race (or event) that has been set before us. Can we set aside the need to have a title, or a specific call, to fulfill the needs of spreading the Gospel? Let us all be known as servants in His Kingdom.
**A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 1
Written by Linda J. Humes
4-19-2017
——————————————————
Gifts, Callings and Ministries:
Here is a list of Gifts, Callings and Ministries from Scripture, along with their references. I hope you find this interesting and useful.
Romans 12:6-8 – Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy.
1 Corinthians 12:28 – Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Miracles, Kinds of healings, Helps, Administration, Tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 – Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Faith, Gifts of healings, Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning between spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11 – 5 Fold Ministry – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher.
1 Peter 4:11 – Whoever speaks, Whoever renders service.
Other Gifts Mentioned – Celibacy (1 Corinthians 7:7), Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9-10), Intercession (Romans 8:26-27), Marriage (1 Corinthians 7:7), Effective Witnessing (Acts 1:8), Craftsmanship (Exodus 35:30-33), Interpretation of Dreams (Joseph & Daniel), Composing Spiritual Music, Poetry and Prose, Charity.
Linda J. Humes 