Your One & Only Life #4: Definition of Calling
DEFINITION OF CALLING
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines calling as “a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.” In the Greek the term calling means “invitation or summons.”1 In essence, a calling is an intense, internal desire to carry out a task that God has summoned a person to undertake.
The definition used in this post synthesizes the dictionary and Greek definitions. A calling is a summons from God to a task that accomplishes His purposes. Each phrase is essential and packed with information.
A summons from God
You receive a letter in the mail. You know what it says just by looking at the envelope. It begins, “You are hereby called to jury duty.” The authorities have summoned you to appear at a certain time and place to carry out the specific task of settling a legal dispute. You can either obey or disobey the summons, but either decision has consequences. Jury duty will cost you time and energy, but you also will serve the community. If you fail to appear, the judge will hold you in contempt of court.
A summons for jury duty is similar to a calling from God. The summons may be issued at any time, and when it arrives you know it comes with authority. God expects you to respond, but you have a choice – you can either obey or disobey the summons. If you obey, it will require commitment and sacrifice, but you also will experience joy in serving. But if you disobey, your refusal will negatively affect you, others, and your relationship with God.
Your summons will likely come when you least expect it and are going about your daily activities. God summoned Moses as he was tending his father-in-law’s sheep.2 David’s summons came while surrounded by his family in his home.3 Rebekah was drawing water from a well when her summons arrived.4 The summons came to Lydia while she was selling her purple cloth by a river.5 Matthew, also called Levi, heard his summons as he collected taxes.5 Each of these Bible characters was going about their daily work when they heard and obeyed God’s summons. You also are likely to hear God’s summons in the midst of your daily routine.
To a task
The message of the Bible can be summed up in two words: Come and Go. These two words represent the only two callings in the Bible. Come is God’s invitation to salvation offered to everyone through Jesus Christ; Go is God’s summons to service that is commanded of every believer.
Each of these two callings – to salvation and to service – will be explained in the next two posts.
ENDNOTES
1. See Strong’s Concordance, G2822
2. Exodus 3:1-2
3. 1 Samuel 16:3a
4. Genesis 24:15ff)
5. Acts 16:13a,14a
This blog post © 2013 Designed to Serve®
An excerpt from the upcoming book Your One and Only Life, © 2013 Steven A. Lake. All Rights Reserved. May not be reprinted, reposted, photocopied, distributed or sold without the expressed written consent of the author.
The eBook Your Own and Only Life will be published by the end of this year. Please signup to be notified when the book is completed by sending an email to Steve Lake right now.
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.
