But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles… Galatians 1:15-16 (NASB)
How do you know if you are set apart for God’s purpose? Have you ever struggled with questions like, what is my calling or what is my spiritual gift? What am I supposed to be doing? What is God’s plan for my life?
What was true for Paul is true for us.
God was working in the whole of Paul’s life, and His plan was in place before Paul drew his first breath. Reflecting on this observation, I am stunned by God’s sovereign gift of long-range planning. Working with a canvas made up of a life-time of days, God’s call came right on time.
I have a hard time planning for next week.
Understanding time and purpose is often high on our control list.
We want to be able to measure the distance between the stars, count the galaxies, and be able to explain God’s omniscience before we will fully believe that He is sovereign over both time and mankind.
We may struggle with the concept of fairness when we bounce around words like salvation, predestination, and calling. Yet here’s Paul, set apart before he was born. His calling, not dependent on his abilities, is a living demonstration of God’s active grace (undeserved favor).
God’s call is incomplete until we respond.
Will we respond or ignore? Yes or no? Though God is in control, He always leaves room for us to answer. Isn’t this amazing?
Responding to God’s call, Paul becomes a living container for the revealing of Christ. Christ can revealHimself through our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. He also expresses Himself in ways we call spiritual gifts–specific and God-given abilities to do God’s work. Oh that we understood this miracle better! How would our lives be radically different if we fully understood God’s Christ-revealing work within?
[tweetthis]When we say yes to God, amazing things happen![/tweetthis]
He is pleased to reveal his Son in us. This grace of purpose extends to all who will receive Him. How often have we chased after worth and purpose, neglecting to respond to God first?
[tweetthis]God reveals; we respond–this is the heart of worship and it is the backbone of obedience[/tweetthis].
Have you struggled to discover your calling? How has God revealed purpose and calling in your life? I invite you to share this post by using the social media buttons:)
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Great post, Ginger. I think it’s important to identify ourselves as a child of God before we identify ourselves as anything else, be it wife, mother, worker, etc. Once we find ourselves in Christ, we discover who He created us to be and what our true calling in this life is.
In December of 2009, I cried out to God and asked Him what it was He wanted me to do. Tired of the daily grind, I needed something for me, not my entire family. He called me to write. I distinctly heard it, and as I’ve put my feet to my faith in that call, God has done amazing things.
But although I call myself a writer, editor, and thinker, my true calling in all areas of my life is to encourage others. It underlies all I do, and that becomes clearer as I heed the other calls in my life.
Thanks for a wonderful post!
And God has used you in such wonderful ways. Thank you for sharing your experience in pressing through this question! How exciting that you are working on a novel now!