"...serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul..."This is a call to action; we're not allowed to sit still. In part 3, we looked at the idea that God wants us to learn how to walk in all his ways. I view those words as instructional to how we "do life," our everyday actions, thoughts, and words. This requirement, however, may be pointing to something more specific. I believe that there is a unique role for each one of us to play in God's Kingdom. As 1st Corinthians 12 teaches, we are all unique and individual parts of the Body with different jobs and functions. There is a lot to say about calling and purpose, but let's highlight some key thoughts:
1. Know Your Calling
There are tools to help you discern what you are good at and how you are wired (i.e. DISC test, Meyers-Briggs, Spiritual Gifts assessment), but nothing can substitute the sense of call that God will place in your heart. It can at times be frustrating to figure out what your calling is because God is not formulaic in the way He gives you that information. God is relational and desires you to pray and seek His face and read the scriptures. Only in that will you truly be able to rest in the security of your call.
2. Don't Desire Someone Else's Calling
For the last 10 years, we have had the privilege of watching the trainwreck auditions at the beginning of each season of American Idol. There is nothing more sad than watching an awful singer who is deluded in thinking that they can actually sing. When it comes to Christian service, don't be "that guy". If you stink at public speaking, chances are you're not called into preaching. Of course, God can always do a miracle, but He most often works with the giftings that He placed in us when we were born. Know your calling and learn to be OK with it.
3. Understand That Seasons Change
As the famous passage from Ecclesiastes observes, there are different seasons and times in our lives. You may find that what you are called to now is different than it was in the past. Or, a particular need may arise that has to take precedence for a season over the bigger call of God. The Apostle Paul was called to, you know, write the Bible! But when there was a need for money to help finance his trips, Paul made tents. When discerning your calling, ask God to help you know what things are "whole-life" callings and what things are seasonal.
4. Serve Wholeheartedly
Whatever you are doing in service to God or whatever season you are in, do it with all your heart and with all your soul. Leave it all on the playing field, so to speak. That's what's really at the heart of these verses in Deuteronomy. The God that we worship is so glorious, so precious, so valuable that He deserves nothing but our best. When we understand how good and loving and kind and powerful our God is, it becomes easy to pour ourselves into our tasks heart and soul.
If you are wrestling with the idea of calling and purpose, I would recommend 2 books to you. The first would be The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. In this classic work, Tozer does a magnificent job of painting a picture of a life that is fully devoted to knowing God. The second book I would recommend is Courage and Calling by Gordon Smith. This book does a great job of putting forth a Biblical theology of work, vocation, calling and purpose. Together, these 2 books can be very helpful as you seek God for His calling on your life.
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