7 Truths I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me About My Calling

I was six; rocking dark-haired Jeffrey like a real infant, back and forth, back and forth; singing sweetly, feeding him from a plastic bottle, liquid disappearing after tilting it just so.

Jeffrey accompanied a curly-haired doll, almost too big to hold, a gel-filled baby girl, and stuffed animals I imagined were my very own children. Lining my toy cradle, a moving crib, and a plastic sink; I pretended to be a bed; my room doubled as an orphanage in the images of my mind.

Like a good mother hen I found delight in carefully feeding, burping, and tucking in my imaginary children.

True callings are satisfying, effortless and joy filling. 

Still some may be thinking, ministries need to be hunted down, pinned blindly as if playing, “pin the tail on the donkey”, pursued frantically; when doesn’t our calling just naturally surface when we slow down, sit silently, recollect who God made us to be from the time that we were children?

I write this and my crib once filled with over a dozen children is now holding a dark-haired angel; much like my toy doll, Jeffrey. She came to us as a foster child, and oh how I love her so.

Still often it can be after chasing dead ends, following blindly our emotions, getting discouraged, and feeling frustrated when God shows us He is Lord.

I wish someone would have told me the truth about this Missional Life and these character building lessons leading to true callings long ago…

1. Desert seasons often preface callings. Jesus journey to the desert, Moses spending forty-years in exile, Joseph’s rejection, a pit, and imprisonment before coming to his dream’s fulfillment can reflect seasons before our callings.  
   
   
2. Feelings can fail us. Moses’ anger led to the killing of an Egyptian, Joseph’s pride resulted in his brother’s selling him, David’s passion turned to adultery, Samson’s lust led to cutting off his blessing, Saul’s jealousy made him crazy, ultimately losing his King-ship.
   
   
3. Timing is everything.  Imagine building an ark in a dessert wondering when it will rain, or being called to “go” like Abraham, but not knowing where. Still, can’t we run ahead of God, giving up too soon because we don’t head His word, “wait”.
   
   
4. Testing often precursors blessing.  Remember Job’s experience? Peter denying Jesus before building His church? Abraham tying up Isaac? Jesus asking His disciples, “who do you say I am?”
   
   
5. Obedience doesn’t always feel good or seem logical. The fiery furnace, the lion’s den, facing Goliath, dwindling the army of Gideon; none of these were choices seeming logical or pleasing to the person doing them. Still, He is faithful when we choose obedience first.
   
   
6. Weakness is strength and refinement is necessary. Isn’t it funny how Paul thought He was helping God by persecuting Christians? I wonder if sometimes He blinds us before revealing His purposes. Daniel fasted, Moses confessed a speech impediment, New Testament Christians repented and followed faithfully the Holy Spirit. How much more should we trust Him?
   
   
7. Everything we are doing counts.  God wastes nothing; not diaper changing, daily chores, early morning devotions, the silent prayers of our desperate souls.  All of it, He cares about and uses.
   
   

Two decades later, I peek at my real life children sleeping in perfect peace, remembering our callings are not vague targets but predestined purposes He created for us from the beginning, coming to pass if we live intentional, Missional lives with the little he has given us. 

 

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.

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