(Source: City Harvest Church
news bulletin, August 23 - 24, 2014)
“We talk a lot about calling in the church world to the point
where many who can’t identify a clear call feel like they need one to serve God
legitimately.
You don’t
need a specific call to serve God – you just need to be willing and available.
The problem is we have made calling more about places and tasks
than we have about purpose. This produces questions like where do you feel God
is calling you to? Or what do you feel called to do? Or someone says, “I feel
called to China or Africa …” which makes the rest of us think we should have a
call like that too. Calling is firstly to purpose – which will involve places,
tasks, people and positions – but these all change whereas purpose doesn’t.
Sadly, our wrong understanding of calling has produced lots of
people in lots of places who felt called there but end up unfruitful and don’t really
know what they’re supposed to be doing there. Purpose precedes places.
Abraham was called to a purpose but didn’t know which place he was
heading to. He also had some problems with people that he tried to journey
with, who though being family, didn’t share his purpose. He separated from them
and moved to another place. Though his relationships and location changed, his
call or purpose didn’t.
You can do a lot for God and for people without being able to
point to a call. Moses wasn’t called until he was 80. Joseph had his dream when
he was 17, but his call to rule in Egypt came much later when he was in his
early 30’s.
Your pre-called life is not wasted – it is the preparation period
for your calling.
Don’t
waste another day trying to find your call, just serve where you are and your
call will find you. The world needs purpose driven people not call driven
people. ”
Paul
Scanlon is one of the United Kingdom’s foremost church leaders. Under his
leadership, Life Church has become one of the largest and most significant
churches in Europe. He is a gifted communicator who imparts the truth of God’s
Word in a powerful and insightful way. His heart and vision is to reach as many
people as possible, especially the younger generation, to empower them to lead
influential lives and fulfill their destiny.
LIFE Church is a vibrant, growing and multi-cultural church. We believe that the
Church is the hope of the world and a place where everyone can thrive.
