I have recently been asked the age old Christian question "What am I called to do". This question has reminded me again of the concept of "the call of God" which is a phrase people often associate with super Christians who have somehow stepped over into some super form of super service for God. "Have you heard the call of God yet?" they say as they float out of church into the spiritual sunset.It is almost as if there are two levels of Christians - those who are simply born again and then those who are "called by God". Its a funny idea but it can affect our thinking in a couple of potentially damaging ways. Firstly it can leave us feeling inadequate and unfulfilled and secondly it can prevent us from "ministry" (which means service to God) because we have not "heard the call" we are waiting for. It can almost be like we are hanging around for a phone call from God ( I just called to say I love you?) before we get on with his business.
I think I used to believe three things about God's Call which I have begun to have my doubts about:
1. The Call of God is Elusive: It is something that must be sought for, discovered and found through long hard discipline and self sacrifice.
2. The Call of God is Exclusive: It is usually reserved for the few who have special tasks for special times in special places and normally involves the phrase "full time for the Lord".
3. The Call of God is Explosive: It is always highly impactive, highly visible and amazing fruitful at all times.
What about you? Do you think these are myths or do you think they could be true? Over the next few posts we are going to look at what it means to be "called by God" and whether or not it is something reserved for the few. In a way, the whole point of what I want to bring out for us, reminds me a little of the moral in the story of the film Kung Fu Panda.
I love that bit in Kung Fu Panda when Po is finally awarded the scroll and he sees that it is blank. He leaves the temple, convinced that he is not the mystical Dragon Warrior after all, and that he will never achieve greatness. Darn it - he missed the call!
Back home Po's noodle vending father made a fortune off if his special dish called, “Secret Ingredient Soup.” Believing that his son is finally ready to take over the family business, his father shares the secret ingredient with him.
“The secret is nothing.” Says the father. “To make something special, you just have to believe it is special.” The Panda opens the scroll again and realizes that he can see his own reflection in the golden paper. The moral of the story: “The secret ingredient is YOU.”
When Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs, he gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions (the Message):
"Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment."
In other words, you are the secret ingredient. Now that's just about all the "call of God" I need to motivate me to get on and minister... I don't have to be an elite Christian who has some unique purpose in life guranteed to make history forever. I simply have to be myself. .
Hi Dave
ReplyDeleteLove this. It is so 'counter' a lot of stuff which is unproductive and even damaging about church culture. An un-taught (and VERY unbiblical) hierarchy is unquestioningly accepted. E.g REALLY super Christians get to be on stage at a Bible week, the next grade down lead churches (or possibly take a sideways move into a 'mission field' i.e. somewhere far away and alien and scary), the next grade down from that still get to be 'full time Christians' but fulfill roles such as admin though they have the spiritual sounding title of deacons to console them. Thereafter the pretty useless Christians have to go to work, and essentially tithe in order to maintain the physical lives of the spiritual people!
Simon - my husband - feels passionately about being 'called' as a missionary into the workplace. He doesn't work in a 'Christian' sphere - he isn't a teacher, medic or social worker. He is an engineer working in private industry. At his workplace he witnesses to his colleagues, stands up for righteousness, honours his employers, leads a Christian fellowship and Alpha style groups, organises special events such as a company wide carol service at Christmas. In his workplace he has seen many people saved, return to Christ, healed and mightily blessed BUT his biggest problem is a lack of understanding amongst his fellow believers that such a secular job IS his calling.
For most of us the day to day 'call of God' is to be a disciple. It is often mundane, regularly repetitive, sometimes (dare I say it?) boring! Being salt and light may not have us regularly floating on spiritual clouds being serenaded by angelic choirs - but it is what 'grows' His kingdom.
Well done for exposing the myth. Don't wait to hear God's call - get on with God's work!
Amazingly insightful comments Anna. I am realising how much stuff we have in Christian culture is as you aptly put it "untaught but unquestionably accepted". The Church is full of Simons CALLED to bear fruit wherever they are...
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