A sense of calling

I’ve been re-reading Os Guiness’s book The Call. He asked a question that I would pass on, “Do you have a reason for being, a focused sense of purpose in your life? Or is your life the product of shifting resolutions and the myriad pulls of forces outside yourself?” He concludes, “Listen to Jesus of Nazareth; answer his call.”

The call of Jesus is the only focused purpose to have. Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” He didn’t say, “Come, be a lawyer…or a doctor…or even a professional minister.” I love the way Guiness clarifies this. Our Christian sub-culture elevates the value of professional ministry and devalues other vocations. Christ calls us to follow him wherever we are. Vocations will come and go, but following Christ is eternal.

I’m between jobs right now and wrestling with the implications of this sense of calling. There is an immediate sense of following Jesus in my day-to-day activities, but there is also the desire to follow him for the long haul.  Just like the Apostle Paul was willing to make tents so that he would not be a burden to the Thessalonicans, I find myself willing to do whatever the Lord asks in this life. That could be copywriting work, worship leading, writing songs or any number of things.

I wonder: What does it mean to you to follow God’s call? Where have you seen God’s movement lately? How have you resolved the tension of following Jesus in the midst of your vocation?