Be A World Changer: Calling
A calling is a summons from God to a unique ministry assignment based on His purposes. Noah was called to save all living things – one male and one female each – from destruction in the Great Flood. God called Abraham to leave everything he knew and go to a place God would show him. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and Joshua led them into the Promised Land. And Esther’s assignment was to save the Jewish people from extermination. Each person was summoned by God to a specific assignment that furthered God’s purposes.
The New Testament shows the same calling pattern. Mary’s calling was to give birth to the Messiah. John the Baptist was assigned to authenticate the identity of Jesus as the Christ. Paul was called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, while Peter had the same assignment for a different Audience – the Jews. James, the brother of Jesus, was assigned by God to lead the early Church in Jerusalem. And Timothy was called to be the pastor of the church in Ephesus. In each calling scenario the person given the assignment was uniquely prepared throughout their lives for the task.
Each calling scenario follows the same pattern. God raises up a person with certain natural or spiritual Gifts. That individual has a deep desire to impact a particular Audience – a group of people or social issue. But it’s the Outcome that makes a difference for Christ in the world. The Gift is given to serve a specific Audience, thereby bringing about a positive Outcome. To summarize, you DO something TO someone SO somehow a positive change takes place.
In the Old Testament God called Jeremiah to prophesize [Gift] to the Israelites [Audience] to bring them to repentance [Outcome]. Rahab gave shelter [Gift] to the two Jewish spies [Audience] so they could escape with the report of their reconnaissance [Outcome].
In the New Testament, Luke was raised up to write [Gift] an account of Jesus’ life for all people [Audience] to accept Him as their Savior and Lord [Outcome]. After Lydia’s conversion, God moved in her heart to provide shelter [Gift] for Paul and company [Audience] to strengthen them for their continuing journey [Outcome].
In this generation Billy Graham was called to preach [Gift] the Gospel to everyone everywhere [Audience] inviting them to personally accept Jesus Christ [Outcome]. God called Mother Teresa to show mercy [Gift] to the poor [Audience] to bring them comfort [Impact]. And God called Millard Fuller to build [Gift] for the homeless [Audience] affordable housing [Outcome] through Habitat for Humanity.
God has embedded certain “desires of the heart” within you to serve a particular Audience with your Gift in order to bring about a certain Outcome. What is your natural or spiritual Gift? Which group of people or social issue do you long to help bring about positive changes? And what do you envision will be different in their lives because you served them? There is no greater feeling than serving others on God’s behalf thereby making a significant difference in the world.
© 2013 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
