Am I Called? Understanding Your Purpose in God’s Kingdom
As believers, one of the most common questions we wrestle with is whether we have a calling on our lives. Many Christians wonder if they’re truly called by God and what that calling might look like. The answer might surprise you in its simplicity and clarity.
Yes, You Are Called
The first truth we need to understand is that every believer has a calling. This isn’t reserved for pastors, missionaries, or those in “full-time ministry.” If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are called.
Scripture makes this clear in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” You are a “whoever” – and that means you’re called.
John 1:12-13 reinforces this: “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
What Does It Mean to Be Equipped for Ministry?
Ephesians 4:11-16 provides a blueprint for how God equips His people. The passage explains that God has given the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. But here’s the key question: why has He given these gifts?
The answer is found in verse 12: “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
These ministry offices exist to equip you – the saints – for the work of ministry. You’re not meant to be a passive recipient of ministry, but an active participant in spreading the gospel.
The Great Commission Applies to Everyone
Your primary calling as a believer is to spread the gospel. This isn’t optional – it’s the Great Commission given by Jesus Himself in Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Notice that you can’t spell “gospel” without “go.” This commission isn’t just for those who feel specially called to evangelism. It’s for every follower of Christ.
Why We Avoid Our Calling
Many Christians avoid answering their call because they’re waiting for some dramatic sign from heaven – a bolt of lightning or a thunderous voice. But the truth is, we often use this as an excuse to stay in our comfortable “cul-de-sac Christianity.”
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, addressed this issue powerfully: “Not called! Did you say, ‘Not heard the call’? I think you should say, put your ear down to the Bible and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin.”
We ask for multiple signs before taking action for the gospel, yet in other areas of life, we don’t require such confirmation. The reality is that Jesus has already given us clear instructions: “Go.”
Your Calling Won’t Always Be Comfortable
The story of Jonah illustrates an important truth: our calling isn’t meant to make us comfortable. When God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, it was the last place Jonah wanted to go. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria – Israel’s enemy.
Jonah’s response was to run in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship to Tarshish, trying to flee from God’s presence. But as Psalm 139 reminds us, there’s nowhere we can go to escape God’s presence or His call on our lives.
Jonah’s disobedience was eventually exposed, but God’s call remained. The same is true for us – we cannot escape the love of Jesus or the call of God on our lives.
How to Share the Gospel Simply
Many people feel intimidated about sharing the gospel because they think it requires special training or eloquence. But the simplest way to share the gospel is to tell people what God has done for you.
You can say something like: “I was bound by addiction, rebellion, and sin. But then I met Jesus, and He changed my whole life. He died for my sins and yours, was buried, and rose again three days later with victory in His hand. Because He lives, we can live with God forever.”
This is called the “simple gospel” for a reason. Your personal testimony opens doors for deeper conversations about faith and salvation.
The Reality of Heaven and Hell
There’s a powerful story about a condemned murderer who, while walking to his execution, encountered priests praying for his soul. He stopped and told them: “You do not really believe what you’re praying. Because if you really believed there was a hell – a place of eternal flame and torment – you would be out there every day telling people how not to go there.”
This challenges us to examine our own beliefs. Do we really believe in the reality of heaven and hell? If we do, shouldn’t that compel us to share the gospel with urgency and love?
Life Application
This week, make yourself available to minister to anyone God brings into your path. Whether you’re at work, school, or running errands, be ready to share what God has done in your life. You don’t need to be pushy or preachy – simply be authentic about how Jesus has changed you.
Start conversations naturally and let them lead to opportunities to share your testimony. Remember, you’re not responsible for converting anyone – that’s the Holy Spirit’s job. You’re simply called to plant seeds and share the good news.
Questions for Reflection:
- Am I running from God’s call on my life like Jonah did?
- What’s keeping me from sharing my faith with others – fear, comfort, or lack of preparation?
- Who in my life needs to hear about Jesus, and how can I naturally share my testimony with them?
- Do I really believe in the reality of heaven and hell, and does that belief motivate my actions?
The door is open for you to impact your community in a greater way. Don’t let this opportunity pass by focusing on buildings or programs. Stay focused on the main thing: sharing Jesus with a world that desperately needs Him.