The One Thing More Important Than Your Calling
I didn’t want to go. I was supposed to be at the church to lead Bible study in 18 minutes and instead of making the 15-minute drive I was in my driveway staring at the steering wheel. I was weary, stressed out, and all I wanted was to be in my pajamas.
But I was the women’s ministry leader and it was my job to show up. Nevermind that I hadn’t opened my own Bible since I led the study last week. Nevermind that I hadn’t talked to God beyond a rushed grace at dinner. I was walking in my calling. That matters, right?
There’s a lot of talk about calling these days, and even more about hustling to achieve our calling. But what if we’re doing things backward?
We can develop all the programs, lead all the retreats, and manage all the social media, but if we are doing those things at the expense of spending time with Him, instead of loving Him, we’re missing the point.
Jesus didn’t just call us to do things in His name. He called us to Himself and to the people around us.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:37-40 CSB)
It’s that simple. And yet, we make it so much more complicated.
Yes, there needs to be organization and order to it all. And yes, that calling to go to that remote village or that city street, or to lead that Bible study is good. But if we do it without a firm foundation beneath us, we’re already lost.
Chasing the things we are called to—even the most amazing ones—without being in continuous relationship with God is building our callings, our ministries, our lives on unsteady ground.
So what do we do? We build on the Rock.
Start With God
Spend time with Him. Learn about Him. Fall in love with the One who is so smitten with you that He gave up everything for you.
Notice the way He courts you, the way He’s always there for you. You are part of the best love story the world has ever known, yet sometimes we forget to be in love.
And love is what it’s always about.
It doesn’t mean we can’t have a calling and a purpose to serve Him and others. But any calling you have is secondary to the most important call on your life: to love Jesus.
Set It Down
Picture your calling. Hold it in your hands and look at it. Turn it around and appreciate it. Now, put your calling aside for a moment. Just set it down. I know it sounds scary, but it will be there.
Now, look at your empty hands. Exhale. Let yourself relax into the grace of Jesus. He’s right there with you. Your calling and vocation and responsibilities and mile-long to-do list are safe while you are spending time with Him. Enjoy His presence.
Jesus loves to spend time with you. Not one moment of that time is a waste. The moments you spend with Jesus are the solid rocks you can build your calling on.
Ask Yourself...
Are you loving Jesus as you walk out your calling?
Are you allowing Him to love you?
Are you investing time with Him, not to further the way you want to serve, but for the sake of spending time with the One who loves you?
Remember
God is the One who called you. But before He called you to do things for Him, He called you His daughter. Remember who you are.
Rebecca Hastings
Rebecca Hastings is a writer and speaker encouraging women to find real faith for real life. Her work has also been featured at Relevant Magazine, (in)courage and The Washington Post. She can often be found typing words, driving her kids places or wherever there is chocolate. Rebecca has created a special gift for Propel readers, a free resource to connect with God in the midst of daily life. Follow her on social media at @myinkdance.
