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Our Calling
When we think about calling, we generally think about what we are good at, what “our heart” desires, or perhaps the saying I have truly come to hate, “follow our passion.” But what does calling really refer to when we put it into the context of the gospels?
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother,
casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
And he said to them,
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
And going on from there he saw two other brothers,
James the son of Zebedee and John his brother,
in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets,
and he called them.
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matt 4:17-22 [ESV]
In the context of the gospels, calling is not at all about our desires, gifts, and talents; it is about our Lord calling us to follow him—nothing more, but nothing less either. We are often unaware of how deeply our individualistic and self-centered culture affects us. The calling of Jesus has nothing to do with any special talents and effort on our part. Our call is simply a call to follow.
It is a call we must accept by faith, faith that we will have what we need for our calling because Jesus called us to do it. We will not succeed because we are talented, visionary, or great leaders. Our job is to say yes when Jesus asks us to do something.
In broad strokes, John tells us what Jesus is asking in chapter 15.
“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that someone lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you servants,
for the servant does not know what his master is doing;
but I have called you friends,
for all that I have heard from my Father
I have made known to you.
You did not choose me,
but I chose you and appointed you
that you should go and bear fruit
and that your fruit should abide,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name,
he may give it to you.
These things I command you,
so that you will love one another.
John 15:12-17 [ESV]
As we walk with Jesus, these principles of love and obedience become clear. Jesus speaks to us as we follow if our ears are attentive to his voice. When we follow His call, our hearts are trained to view the world through His eyes. How are our hearts trained? By spending time with Him in prayer, meditating on His words, examining His actions, and imitating them.
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 [ESV]
People seem to argue about Christianity more than they do it. Sometimes, I think that Reformed theology has put such a wall between works and salvation that people begin to feel that what they do is irrelevant. A quick read through the Bible will shatter that notion thoroughly, but nevertheless, on a subconscious level, we often seem to feel that as long as we think the right things, what we do is meaningless or at least forgivable. In this state, hearing the voice of Jesus is difficult, if not impossible.
This Week
Our beliefs give birth to our actions.
Over time, our actions define our beliefs much better than our words.
This week, take some time to contemplate the reality of your calling. Jesus has called you to follow Him. Put yourself in His mental space, imagine looking into His eyes as He asks you to follow Him, and check what your heart is saying to Him. If your heart says “No” or “Not now,” don’t panic; just repent and say “Yes” because Jesus is not asking you for something He is not providing.
Lean into His call and lean back on His strength.
I leave you with an encouragement from the book of Hebrews.
Now may the God of peace
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
equip you with everything good
that you may do his will,
working in us that which is pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Heb 13:20-21 [ESV]
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe
Have a Great week!
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Tom PossinWhen we think about calling, we generally think about what we are good at, what “our heart” desires, or perhaps the saying I have truly come to hate, “follow our passion.” But what does calling really refer to when we put it into the context of the gospels?
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother,
casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
And he said to them,
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
And going on from there he saw two other brothers,
James the son of Zebedee and John his brother,
in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets,
and he called them.
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matt 4:17-22 [ESV]
In the context of the gospels, calling is not at all about our desires, gifts, and talents; it is about our Lord calling us to follow him—nothing more, but nothing less either. We are often unaware of how deeply our individualistic and self-centered culture affects us. The calling of Jesus has nothing to do with any special talents and effort on our part. Our call is simply a call to follow.
It is a call we must accept by faith, faith that we will have what we need for our calling because Jesus called us to do it. We will not succeed because we are talented, visionary, or great leaders. Our job is to say yes when Jesus asks us to do something.
In broad strokes, John tells us what Jesus is asking in chapter 15.
“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that someone lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you servants,
for the servant does not know what his master is doing;
but I have called you friends,
for all that I have heard from my Father
I have made known to you.
You did not choose me,
but I chose you and appointed you
that you should go and bear fruit
and that your fruit should abide,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name,
he may give it to you.
These things I command you,
so that you will love one another.
John 15:12-17 [ESV]
As we walk with Jesus, these principles of love and obedience become clear. Jesus speaks to us as we follow if our ears are attentive to his voice. When we follow His call, our hearts are trained to view the world through His eyes. How are our hearts trained? By spending time with Him in prayer, meditating on His words, examining His actions, and imitating them.
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 [ESV]
People seem to argue about Christianity more than they do it. Sometimes, I think that Reformed theology has put such a wall between works and salvation that people begin to feel that what they do is irrelevant. A quick read through the Bible will shatter that notion thoroughly, but nevertheless, on a subconscious level, we often seem to feel that as long as we think the right things, what we do is meaningless or at least forgivable. In this state, hearing the voice of Jesus is difficult, if not impossible.
This Week
Our beliefs give birth to our actions.
Over time, our actions define our beliefs much better than our words.
This week, take some time to contemplate the reality of your calling. Jesus has called you to follow Him. Put yourself in His mental space, imagine looking into His eyes as He asks you to follow Him, and check what your heart is saying to Him. If your heart says “No” or “Not now,” don’t panic; just repent and say “Yes” because Jesus is not asking you for something He is not providing.
Lean into His call and lean back on His strength.
I leave you with an encouragement from the book of Hebrews.
Now may the God of peace
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
equip you with everything good
that you may do his will,
working in us that which is pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Heb 13:20-21 [ESV]
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe
Have a Great week!
Get full access to On walking the Way at tompossin.substack.com/subscribe