[Note: I am indebted to Os Hillman for an insightful article written under the same title.]
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Ps. 16:5-6).
I often require ministry students to write about their calling from God. In this article, I reflect my own awareness of God’s calling. Over my lifetime, I have had several jobs outside of ministry. Not all of those jobs were full-time. Some helped support me during my educational endeavors. My list of jobs includes retail lumber and construction sales, janitor, switchboard operator, director of student hous-ing, metal extrusion pressman, and advertising director. More recently, I have worked with one foot in the local church and one foot in Christian higher education. I have served as professor, preached and ministered, sponsored student organizations, done mission work, directed academic programs, consulted with churches, and served in academic and university administration. In 2010, I “retired” from full-time local church ministry to pursue my dream of serving in a variety of ministry and mission activities. I make mission trips almost every month with the goal of edifying and strengthening local churches, developing leaders and teachers, and encouraging every-member evangelism. Between trips, I teach and preach in local congregations by invitation. I am a writer, adjunct professor, minister and missionary. I am a church consultant and coach for church leaders around the world.
I can see now that all of these jobs were important, for they provided the foundation and experience for my current ministry in God’s kingdom. Looking back over my life, I see the reality of the concept: one calling, many jobs. The constant throughout my life has been that I am God’s person. All is for his glory, for his purpose, for his cause. I have had many jobs, but I have one calling. Consider the words of Oswald Chambers: “In the beginning we do not train for God, we train for work, for our own aims; but as we go on with God we lose all our own aims and are trained into God’s purpose. Unless practical work is appointed by God, it will prove a curse.”
In mysterious ways, God equips us to fulfill our calling. He makes us wait when we want to act; he leads us where we cannot see. He takes us where we never dreamed of going; he closes and opens doors. He uses unlikely methods, places, people, and challenges. God got Moses ready by herding sheep for 40 years. Israel got ready by wandering for 40 years. God prepared Joseph with a prison sentence. Amos got ready as a shepherd. Jesus was prepared as a carpenter. The apostle Simon prepared for service in the Jewish sect of the Zealots. Saul got ready by opposing what he eventually embraced.
God is forming us; he is changing and transforming us. God is equipping us, preparing us. God’s message is sharpened within us; God’s power is focused. God has a plan for your life. Pray that God accomplishes His intended outcome in you through the work you are doing today.