Calling

Have you experienced feelings of inadequacies lately?

Has anyone felt under resourced and over burdened?

Have you lacked the mental, physical or spiritual energy to fulfill your responsibilities with excellence?

Have you felt fatigued?

Have you felt a depletion in your passion for ministry?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then let me congratulate you on being normal and welcome you to spiritual leadership. You know, it is kind of like being a parent. You look forward to having a child and then after you do, you think “no one told me it was going to be like this.” (haha) There is nothing easy about ministry and that is why we ask potential staff members in Saddleback Kids the “Calling Question” – Are you looking for a job or pursuing a calling?

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He has to be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. Hebrews 5:4 (NLT)

I want to encourage you to take a few moments and meditate on this verse. Revisit the calling question – “Am I pursuing my calling”? Keep in mind that your calling into ministry will probably be different than your teammate’s calling. The style in which God calls us and to what type of ministry God calls us will vary, but the end result is the same.

You did not earn the spiritual leadership position you hold, you did not win the spiritual leadership position you hold, you did not happen upon the spiritual leadership position you hold, you were CALLED into that position of spiritual leadership. And because God called you into this position:

He will provide EVERYTHING you need.

He will provide the confidence to lead.

He will provide the resources you need.

He will provide energy to accomplish your task.

He will provide rest to restore your body and mind.

He will renew your passion so you can maximize the gifts, talents and potential He has invested in you.

God is the one who called you so He is committed to providing you with all you need to fulfill that calling. But we must rest in Him, trust in Him and not give up on the calling.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. Proverbs 24:16 (NLT)

We all “hit the wall” at times, we all have moments of frustration and doubt in relation to our calling in ministry. While that is normal, it does not mean we must remain in that state of frustration or doubt.

Today my prayer for you is that the joy and honor of being called by God will consume your thoughts and bring a renewed sense of passion to your efforts today.