“Old Testament figures like Moses and Jeremiah were reluctant leaders…They remind us that calling is a result of God’s grace, not a selfish desire for acclaim…
[And] Paul affirms those who aspire to leadership (1 Tim. 3:1). It is clear that when ambition is sparked by our communion with Christ,
it can be a righteous energy that drives our ministry.”
Skye Jethani (as found here)
For a variety of reasons, I’ve been thinking about our callings and ambitions and dreams a lot again recently. And given that we are smack dab in the middle of our annual Missions Conference at church, I have found myself thinking specifically about a calling to missions again. Clearly this is not a new subject for consideration … I mean, I did just post about why I don’t live in Africa … and I did that entire 31 days series about how to better understand our {God-given} callings a couple of years ago … but sometimes it’s just a good topic to revisit and reconsider. To ensure that my thoughts are still aligning with the truth of God’s Word. And to ensure that I’m still where God wants me to be.
But as I once again consider this topic that I will likely never fully understand, I can’t help but also think that maybe it’s not either-or when it comes to how we’re called.
Maybe calling and ambition aren’t in as much conflict as we (or is it just me?) sometimes suspect.
Maybe some people just decide the Biblical imperative is to do this long-term, vocational missions thing and they go do it. And it’s ok.
Maybe other people receive a specific calling from God to a specific place or ministry. And it’s ok.
Maybe still other people choose to work in a secular industry, either out of compulsion or just plain desire. And it’s ok.
Maybe the whole concept of calling is less about doing it the “one right way” (if that even exists) all the time.
Because maybe it’s about just walking with Jesus, leaning into Him as far as we can. And then by his power and strength, leaning in some more, obeying what we already know He’s said in His Word (which for the record, is enough. if it wasn’t, He would have included more, but He didn’t, and I trust that. and for the theologically inclined, yes, I’m speaking of a closed canon here.), and making the best decision we can at the time we need to make it. And then trusting Him with the outcome and to continue leading in each moment of every day.
Maybe that means a month later we’re re-directed. Or maybe that means 10 years later we’re still there.
But maybe neither is wrong. Or even less right.
Maybe it was all part of God’s perfect plan for us after all.
I’m learning that there is a very real possibility that God doesn’t care so much about what we do. He cares more about who we are. He cares that we’re following Him. He cares that we’re walking with Him. He cares that we’re living by the Spirit and allowing His power to control and equip us, that we’re bearing fruit, that we’re loving well.
But within that context, there may just be a lot of freedom. And a lot more grace.
To choose.
To do something that aligns with our skills and our passions (because even those are a gift from Him).
To use our talents wisely.
To love and serve others by doing the next small thing right in front of us.
To look for where Jesus is working (all around us, all the time) and joining Him.
And maybe that means an incredibly short season and maybe that means an incredibly long one.
But maybe we (again, is it just me?) over-complicate this.
Don’t misunderstand me. Following Jesus certainly isn’t easy. Sometimes, it’s downright hard and painful. But maybe it’s not that complicated either.
Are there choices we’re faced with where there is clearly a “wrong”? Yes, sometimes, I think there are. If it’s not Biblical, if it’s not holy, if it’s not loving … then, yes. If it’s based solely on selfish desires and ambitions … then, yes.
But otherwise, while still making decisions prayerfully and cautiously, maybe it’s less about right or wrong and more about walking faithfully with Him.
And maybe I’m getting it all wrong.
Maybe I know even far less than I think I do (this is likely).
But here’s what I do know.
God isn’t playing games with my head and my heart. And He’s not playing hide-and-seek.
That’s not this God we serve.
His ways are not our ways and He is not in the business of manipulating. But He is in the business of leading.
And I want to follow Him. Whatever and wherever that means.
And the only way to know what that means … the only way to have a fighting chance of knowing this thing we sometimes label “calling” or having a holy ambition … is to know Him.
So maybe I don’t know what’s next, but I know that’s always my now.
Knowing Him. Following Him. Trusting Him.
