You Have a Calling: Are You Up for the Challenge

“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.” (2 Timothy 1:8-11, NLT)

God left us with a mission. In our key verse, we see that He left Paul with the same mission: to be His hands and feet on this earth– to spread the truth of the gospel across the nations so that every ear would hear the wondrous name of Jesus. Our call and Paul’s call are one and the same.

If we continue to experience God and draw close to Him, our compassion for others and confidence to tell them about Jesus should continuously grow. Even though it may not seem to make sense, your faith and your life has absolutely nothing to do with you and everything to do with who Jesus is. We have been given this immense gift of salvation not to keep it to ourselves but to pour it out on all that surround us.

Whether you are choosing to acknowledge it or not today, if you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart you have a testimony. It may be big, or it may be small, but your story and the way that God has worked in your life is a testimony to those around you. You might not have the courage or even the desire to share your faith with others, but there are hurting people all around you. There are hurting people in your homes and jobs that are hungry for Jesus and His healing power. Once you acknowledge that, it is time to step away from making your faith all about you and instead, make it about everyone else. That’s the gospel. That’s what Jesus calls us to do.

‘For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”’ (Galatians 5:13-14, NLT)

The freedom that you and I have been given is such a precious gift, but it was given to us to fulfill our purpose of loving the broken-hearted, the hurting, and the Godless. The gift of salvation is one to be treasured but also shared. It’s the vaccine to every illness, the beauty behind each pure smile and the joy within each laugh. God is in everything we do, loving us through each process and experiencing each and every moment we face, prepared to be our backbone and comfort.

This is the foundation we stand on every day and this is also the foundation that the world tries to replicate and obtain through relationships, drugs, alcohol, friendships, and any other thing that could be an idol. But one way or another, it always leaves them broken hearted once again.

We all know what it’s like. Before we knew Christ and built our lives upon Him, we did the same exact thing, and life felt like a constant battle. I hope you can say you also remember the magnificent feeling of when you found the true, sustainable foundation of Jesus, and you planted yourself in that. Don’t you long for the people around you to obtain that same peace, safety, and priceless relationship with Jesus Christ?

Since the day that you gave your life to Jesus Christ, He has been ready to send you on a mission that is specifically designed and destined for you, whether that be in your neighborhood, your home, or your friend groups. Each and everyday is an opportunity to let God speak through you. Maybe you feel like you have been pounding the pavement trying to evangelize to all the people around you and your not seeing the results you expected. Don’t let that discourage you because you are planting seeds in those people that will never leave them, and God will water and grow them in His own perfect timing.

On this earth, we are called to be Jesus’ hands and feet, and if you fully submit to Him and His call on your life, you will see Him work in you and the people around you in ways you never could have imagined. Give God everything. Give Him your words and your whole heart! He is ready to use you in your own life and the lives around you!

‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”’ (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT)

Like this verse states at the end, God is always with you in every endeavor. He is your backbone and foundation. Nothing can come against you. God used Paul, a murderer, as the biggest evangelist of his day. Nothing is too big or impossible for God. He is ready to use you in all the ways He has foreseen even before you were born. Go out in confidence knowing God is at your right hand.

This is our call, are you up for the challenge?

The freedom that you and I have been given is such a precious gift, but it was given to us to fulfill our purpose of loving the broken-hearted, the hurting, and the Godless.