Embracing Our Divine Calling for True Peace
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of calling and how it relates to our pursuit of peace, or shalom, in our lives. We began with a personal story about a journey gone awry due to being on the wrong road, which served as a metaphor for how we can miss our true destination if we are not aligned with our calling. This season, as we reflect on peace, we recognize that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness and wellness. However, many of us struggle to find this peace because we have not made peace with our calling.
We often confuse careers with callings, but they are fundamentally different. A career is self-focused, chosen, and often promises visible rewards, while a calling is received from God, may involve challenges, and offers eternal rewards. Jesus' call to His disciples was radical, asking them to prioritize Him above all else, including family and career. This call to follow Jesus is extended to all of us, inviting us to a life where He is our highest priority.
Making peace with our calling involves understanding that it is a divine invitation to partner with God in His work. It requires discernment to see and hear what God is calling us to do. We are reminded that our calling may exceed our abilities, but God's power and provision are sufficient. As we embrace our calling, we are called to action, to work alongside God in bringing His kingdom to earth. This involves using our unique gifts and talents to serve others and honor God.
Ultimately, making peace with our calling leads to a life characterized by freedom, hope, peace, and belonging. It is a journey of faith, where we trust in God's strength to fulfill His purposes through us. As we reflect on our lives, we are challenged to discern our calling and courageously pursue it, knowing that it is through this pursuit that we find true shalom.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Calling vs. Career: A career is often self-focused and chosen, promising visible rewards, while a calling is received from God, may involve challenges, and offers eternal rewards. Embracing our calling means prioritizing God's purpose over personal ambitions. [44:50]
2. The Radical Call of Jesus: Jesus calls us to prioritize Him above all else, including family and career. This call to follow Him is an invitation to a life where He is our highest priority, leading to true peace and fulfillment. [48:24]
3. Discernment in Calling: Making peace with our calling requires discernment to see and hear what God is calling us to do. It involves acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's wisdom and strength to guide us. [58:35]
4. Action in Calling: Our calling is a call to action, to partner with God in His work. This involves using our unique gifts and talents to serve others and honor God, bringing His kingdom to earth. [01:06:04]
5. God's Power in Our Calling: Our calling may exceed our abilities, but God's power and provision are sufficient. Trusting in His strength allows us to fulfill His purposes and experience true shalom. [01:14:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [40:41] - A Journey Gone Awry
- [41:58] - The Quest for Peace
- [42:43] - Making Peace with Our Calling
- [44:50] - Career vs. Calling
- [46:15] - Jesus' Radical Call
- [47:34] - Prioritizing Jesus
- [48:24] - The Challenge of Modern Priorities
- [49:51] - The Invitation to Follow
- [51:53] - The Church as the Called Out
- [52:50] - Pursuing Our True Calling
- [54:22] - The Gifts of Our Calling
- [55:27] - Characteristics of a Called Life
- [57:05] - Discernment in Calling
- [58:35] - Seeing and Hearing God's Call
- [01:06:04] - Action in Our Calling
- [01:14:04] - God's Power in Our Calling
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 1:16-18
2. 1 Peter 2:9
3. Galatians 5:13
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 1:16-18, what was Jesus' invitation to Simon and Andrew, and how did they respond to it?
2. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the characteristics of those who are called by God?
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between a career and a calling? [44:50]
4. What does Galatians 5:13 say about the purpose of our calling?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' call to prioritize Him above all else challenge modern priorities, according to the sermon? [48:24]
2. What does it mean to be "called out of darkness into His wonderful light" as described in 1 Peter 2:9, and how does this relate to our daily lives?
3. The sermon mentions that making peace with our calling requires discernment. What might be some obstacles that prevent people from discerning their calling? [58:35]
4. How does the concept of freedom in Galatians 5:13 relate to the idea of making peace with our calling?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current career or life path. How does it align with what you believe to be your calling from God? What steps can you take to better align the two? [44:50]
2. Jesus calls us to prioritize Him above all else. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure that Jesus remains your highest priority? [48:24]
3. Consider a time when you felt uncertain about your calling. What practices or resources could help you gain clarity and discernment in understanding God's call for your life? [58:35]
4. The sermon suggests that our calling may exceed our abilities. How can you rely on God's strength and provision when you feel inadequate for the tasks He has called you to? [01:14:04]
5. Identify one unique gift or talent you have. How can you use this gift to serve others and honor God in the coming week? [01:06:04]
6. Think about a situation where you have struggled to find peace. How might making peace with your calling bring a sense of shalom to that area of your life? [49:51]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a "co-worker in God's service." What is one specific action you can take this week to partner with God in His work? [01:06:04]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Distinguishing Between Career and Calling
Understanding the difference between a career and a calling is crucial for aligning with God's purpose. A career often focuses on personal ambitions and visible rewards, while a calling is a divine invitation that may involve challenges but offers eternal rewards. Embracing our calling means prioritizing God's purpose over our own ambitions, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from aligning with His will. This understanding helps us navigate life with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our ultimate goal is to serve God and others. [44:50]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What personal ambitions might be hindering you from fully embracing God's calling in your life? How can you begin to prioritize His purpose today?
Day 2: The Radical Call of Jesus
Jesus' call to His disciples was radical, asking them to prioritize Him above all else, including family and career. This call is extended to all of us, inviting us to a life where Jesus is our highest priority. By following Him, we find true peace and fulfillment, as our lives are aligned with His eternal purposes. This radical call challenges us to examine our priorities and make necessary adjustments to ensure that Jesus remains at the center of our lives. [48:24]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to prioritize Jesus? What practical steps can you take to make Him your highest priority?
Day 3: Discernment in Calling
Making peace with our calling requires discernment to see and hear what God is calling us to do. It involves acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's wisdom and strength to guide us. Discernment is a spiritual practice that helps us align our actions with God's will, ensuring that we are on the right path. By seeking God's guidance, we can confidently pursue our calling, knowing that He will equip us for the journey ahead. [58:35]
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a habit of seeking God's wisdom and discernment in your daily decisions? How might this impact your understanding of your calling?
Day 4: Action in Calling
Our calling is a call to action, to partner with God in His work. This involves using our unique gifts and talents to serve others and honor God, bringing His kingdom to earth. By actively engaging in our calling, we become co-laborers with Christ, contributing to His redemptive work in the world. This partnership requires us to step out in faith, trusting that God will use our efforts to make a meaningful impact. [01:06:04]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use them to serve others and advance His kingdom today?
Day 5: God's Power in Our Calling
Our calling may exceed our abilities, but God's power and provision are sufficient. Trusting in His strength allows us to fulfill His purposes and experience true shalom. As we rely on God's power, we are empowered to overcome challenges and obstacles, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. This reliance on God transforms our perspective, enabling us to approach our calling with confidence and hope. [01:14:04]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your calling do you feel inadequate? How can you rely on God's power and provision to overcome these feelings and move forward in faith?
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Quotes
A career promises status, money, power, sometimes, right? Oftentimes, a calling promises difficulty and challenges. A career is sometimes... Often leads to upward mobility. And a calling may very well lead us to downward mobility. You might remember Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. [00:44:50] (24 seconds)
Jesus is essentially saying that to know him, to serve him, to love him and so on is to be our highest priority. That's what his call starts with. Everything else becomes secondary. This is what Jesus was getting at when later on in Mark's gospel, in Mark chapter eight, verse 34. [00:49:07] (22 seconds)
Making peace with your calling is important. It's critical. Because until we do that, we're going to spend our life pursuing something less than our calling. A dear friend of mine here at Seneca Creek put a post recently on social media. And he told me I could share this. [00:52:15] (22 seconds)
You see, we're inundated in our lives with sounds and images that make it almost impossible to see and to hear Jesus' call. So this morning, I want to give you a chance to discern. And so we're going to take a few minutes right now. And we're going to give you a time to reflect. [01:00:07] (25 seconds)
Somebody asked a question one time, hey, I wonder, what does God do all day? Like, sing? Sit around? Like, check up on people? And really what we know from Scripture is that God works. He creates. He always has. And he invites each of us to partner with him in his work. [01:05:22] (26 seconds)
Not a career, but a calling. A calling that includes freedom and peace and hope and belonging. A calling that often stretches and challenges us, but a calling that will endure forever. And a calling that allows us to partner with you in your work in this world and to experience the shalom. [01:14:57] (23 seconds)
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