Hello creative friend!
This is week nine of twenty in my Freedom Friday posts on Identity in Christ. These blog posts are based on my I Am Journal and I hope you are joining me on this journey whether you own the journal or not.
Our truth topic today is: I am called!
When talking about being called by God, our first calling is definitely to follow Jesus and be like Him but what comes after that? In Ephesians 4:1 we are urged to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. As believers, we are called to many different roles. We are called to be a light (Matthew 5:14) and to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) We are called to love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:39) and to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) We are called to share the message of reconciliation that God has entrusted to us (2 Corinthians 5:19) and to bear fruit that will last. (John 15:16) There are many other passages in the bible that speak of these kinds of callings but I want to explore the other kind of calling that is talked about so much in society today, the kind of calling that is personal to you, the calling that was planned for you since before time began. When God made you, He gave you spiritual gifts, talents and passions. He made you different from other people. God’s purpose for your life is aligned with how He made you and who He made you to be. I don’t like it when parents tell their kids they can be whatever they want to be because if God created you to be a fish, you will be extremely frustrated your whole life if you insist on trying to be a bird. If God wanted fish to live like birds He would of gave them wings and the ability to survive out of water.
If you’re suppose to be a fish, you will only be free swimming in water and trying to fly like a bird will make you exhausted and miserable. If your life makes you feel like you are drowning then perhaps you are a bird trying to live like a fish! Tweet That!
What fills your tank when it comes to serving others? What are you good at? What drains the life out of you? God qualifies you to do what’s in His heart for you to do. If you’re feeling like a fish out of water I want to encourage you to examine what you do with your time. Are you bogged down with any jobs at church that you were manipulated or “guilted” into doing? Trust me when I say that huge freedom comes when you graciously quit those things. God is not up in the sky thinking of ways to make you miserable by forcing you into jobs that you hate and find no pleasure in. I’m not saying that you should never do unpleasant jobs, lets face it, my toilet needs to be cleaned no matter how much I hate cleaning it! Years ago, I worked in the children’s ministry at our church because I was told that if you have children in the program, you should help with the program. This caused me to dread going to church when it was my turn. I found it so incredibly frustrating to deal with other people’s kids. It drained me and I found no joy in it. I’m not called to children’s ministry, period. That doesn’t mean that I can’t or shouldn’t help out in a pinch but would you want your kids to have a teacher who finds no joy in teaching them? I sure wouldn’t! Once I quit what I wasn’t suppose to be doing in the first place, I was free to be involved in a prayer and healing ministry which is in line with God’s purpose for my life. I’m no longer a fish trying to fly!! What can you partner with God on that brings you joy as you serve others? Are there “jobs” that you are doing to try to earn approval or out of guilt that you can toss at the curb?
Your calling is unique to you and it’s something that you can do WITH God, not for God. Within your calling you can be a light, share the gospel and love deeply. For many years I resisted my calling because I was scared out of my mind about it. I admit I still have a lot of fear in some areas. I remember one day when the Lord said I was to speak and like Moses I made excuses and reminded God that I wasn’t good at expressing myself. My second excuse was like Jeremiah that I was too young. The Lord told me that He had heard all these excuses before. NOT QUALIFIED is the lie I hear most often. God is not looking for my qualifications, He’s looking for my obedience. Often times, it’s easier to just hide from my calling and do “good works” but that is disobedience. Every time I say yes to something that God hasn’t asked me to do, I have to say no to something I’m suppose to be doing. There’s only so many hours in the day and I can’t do all the things that all the people want me to do. If you are overwhelmed I suggest you write down all the things that occupy your time and pray over each one. Ask yourself, does this bring me life or does this bring me down? God gives you enough time and energy to accomplish everything you need to in a day. Make room in your life for what God has called you to do and in that you will find rest.
“God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called”
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)
Here are biblical declarations that you can read out loud every day. Declare truth over yourself daily and you will soon believe it! I have included a free printable for you to use, enjoy it!
1- I love God and all things work together for my good, because I am called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
2- I am predestined and called, I am justified and glorified. (Romans 8:30)
3- I know what I am called to do and I am taking steps in that direction.
4- I have the freedom to say no to things.
5- I have everything I need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)
6- I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of love, power and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
7- I was chosen before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)
8- God equips me for my calling. (Hebrews 13:21)
9- My purpose is to know Jesus and make Him known.
10- My gifts make room for me. (Proverbs 18:16)
Thanks for being here, I hope that you are inspired to take the next step in your calling. I’d love to hear what that is, comment bellow!
