The You … You Are: Your Calling

A busy mom had her children work on a jigsaw puzzle while she completed some chores. She dumped out 100 pieces of a jigsaw onto the top of their glass coffee table and the children went to work. The mom was shocked when after 10 minutes the children had completed the puzzle. She asked them, “How did you finish it so fast?” One of the children explained that they looked under the coffee table and discovered that the pieces had two sides. The child replied, “Mom, the other side was a picture of Jesus. It was easy once we saw Jesus’ face.”

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Day by day we put some pieces together to better understand who we are and what’s happening in our lives. As those pieces fit together we begin to see the larger picture of our design and circumstances. But we seldom see the entire picture despite our hard work. However, whenever we look to Jesus, the picture becomes clearer and our burdens become more bearable.

God doesn’t operate using a formula. He’s a God of revelation who makes His will known on His time schedule. However, knowing that we have finite minds, it helps to use a formula as a place to start – only God knows the specifics. Depicted below is a simple formula to help you understand the components of your calling.

Gift
God has given you spiritual gifts and natural abilities that are to be used to serve others. Your gifts answer the question, “What do I do to serve others.” The Apostle Paul says it well in Romans 12:6b-9. “… If our gift is to speak God’s message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully.”

Audience
God embedded within you a desire to impact a particular group of people or specific social issues. The essence of Christian service is simply to give the gift God has given you to the audience that God has put on your heart.  Your spiritual gift doesn’t indicate where you should serve since every ministry needs all of the gifts. Instead, knowing your audience answers the question, “Where do I serve?” Serve in a ministry where you are most likely to find your audience.

Outcome
The final component is a desire that God put within you to impact your audience in a particular way.  Give your gift to your audience so there will be some clear-cut outcome. The outcome answers the question, “What effect does my ministry have on others?

Calling
Your calling is utilizing your gifts to serve a particular audience in order to bring about a specific outcome. Your calling answers the question, “What will be my legacy?

Identify your gift. Clarify your audience. Envision the outcome. Serve in a ministry.

© 2011 Designed to Serve®