What is Your Calling?

In today's Christian circles, everyone is looking for their calling. Most are looking at the five-fold ministry: prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and apostles. Yet, looking for one's calling isn't and shouldn't be so complicated. If we are to take the great commission seriously, " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," (Mark 16: 15-20) we will certainly find our calling.

When we receive salvation through Jesus Christ, then the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that He will lead us as we surrender our lives to Him. As we die to self-daily, the Holy Spirit will speak and minister to us and ultimately show us where He wants us to be. As long as we are faithful to preach the Gospel to every creature, whether it be a neighbor, a gas station attendant, or a cashier at the local supermarket, God will be faithful to open doors to where He wants us to be. Yet, we cannot leave all of the work to God. When He shows us where He wants us, we must be faithful to study to show ourselves approved. If it is teaching the Word, then we must prepare ourselves through diligent study and preparation.

Amazingly, many people find that their calling has been evident throughout their lives. However, it wasn't until God was able to get a hold of him or her, and the person was willing to stop and listen that they knew for sure what their calling was. Yet, I believe that every persons' purpose, calling, and ultimate destiny is planned before the foundations of the earth, and that it is simply a process of unveiling your calling to your spirit, that will establish you on your new journey.

There is no doubt about it, to find your calling in life, you will need to spend time in prayer and seek God's face. Listen to what God places on your heart. Also, during this time of soul searching and revelation, you may want to keep a journal. Take note of the things that move you, grieve your spirit, or situations that you feel strongly about. Chances are that the problems that you feel compelled to fix, are in direct relation to your calling.

Though everyone may not be called to the five-fold ministry, you may be delighted to learn that everyone is called to prophecy. 1 Corinthians chapter 14 plainly states that the Apostle Paul desires that all believers prophesy. Paul also goes on to declare that he desires that all speak in tongues. One thing I love about this passage is that Paul clearly acknowledges that he spoke in tongues. Wow, I wonder how many religious minds that thought stirs up. Do many non Pentecostal/Charismatics really believe that Paul spoke in tongues? I sure hope so, because it is clearly evident in the Scriptures that this is what he is stating.

The power and gifts of the Holy Spirit did not subside with the Apostle Paul. They were given to the first believers and to their children, and their children's children. Acts 2: 38-39 state,

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call."

I don't know about you, but when I see, "as many as the Lord our God shall call", I don't see any reason to put a time limit on that. So rest assured, if you are called by the Lord, you qualify for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That comes with speaking in tongues and a request from the Apostle Paul to seek after spiritual gifts, specifically to prophesy.

As you learn how to walk with God, communicate with Him through prayer and fasting, and begin to grow in spiritual gifts such as prophecy, your call will become evident and it will not be a mystery. However remember, everyone is called to the Great Commission. Mark 16: 15-20. Again, there is emphasis placed on not only receiving salvation, but on also receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you are going to be effective at the Great Commission, you need to begin by being filled with the Spirit of God. In this aspect, everyone is called to the field of evangelism. Whether it is at work, in your community, or even on the Internet. Let your light shine before men, and remember that your main call is to spread the good news, or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.