Embracing Your Divine Calling with Intentionality
Summary
In a reflective and introspective message, the focus is placed on the importance of understanding and pursuing one's divine calling. The message begins with a reference to Psalm 90, where Moses, towards the end of his life, expresses a desire for wisdom to make the most of his fleeting years. This sentiment is echoed in the encouragement to live with intentionality, to "number our days," and to seek a heart of wisdom.
The audience is invited to imagine their lives three years into the future, in 2027, and to consider what their ideal life would look like. This exercise is not about material success or personal achievements alone but about aligning with a heavenly vision for one's life. The emphasis is on the significance of understanding one's calling beyond the short-term goals and the daily grind.
The message challenges the common misconception that a calling is only for those in vocational ministry, such as pastors or missionaries. Instead, it asserts that everyone has a unique purpose crafted by the Creator. This is supported by Ephesians 2:10, which speaks of being created for good works prepared in advance by God. The idea is that everyone is God's handiwork, created to make a difference in the world.
The message further explores the concept of calling by suggesting that it may manifest in various forms, such as leadership, teaching, business, or simply bringing joy to others. The key is to recognize that one's profession is not the same as one's calling, which may encompass and transcend specific roles or seasons in life.
The message also addresses the costs associated with following one's calling, as illustrated by Jesus' interactions with potential followers in Luke 9. The costs identified are comfort, convenience, and commitment. These costs challenge individuals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace the inconvenience, and commit wholeheartedly to their calling.
Personal anecdotes are shared, including the story of the lead pastor, Tim, and his wife's journey in starting their church. They faced decisions that required them to leave behind security and comfort to pursue what they believed was their calling. This story illustrates the real-life application of the message's principles.
The message concludes with an invitation to prayer and surrender, emphasizing that understanding one's calling begins with following Jesus. It is suggested that one's true identity and purpose are discovered after making a commitment to follow Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding one's divine calling is not limited to vocational ministry but is a unique purpose for every individual, crafted by the Creator. This calling is about making a significant impact in the world and is not confined to one's profession or current season of life. [46:36
- The pursuit of one's calling comes with costs, including comfort, convenience, and commitment. These challenges require individuals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace the inconvenience of following Jesus, and commit wholeheartedly to the path laid out for them. [01:11:32
- A calling is often discovered after one begins to follow Jesus. It is through the journey of faith and surrender that one's purpose becomes clearer, and the direction for one's life is revealed step by step. [50:22
- Imagining one's future should go beyond career and personal goals to include the pursuit of eternal significance. While it is important to have goals, it is vital to align them with God's purpose to ensure that one's life produces eternal value. [43:11
- The story of the lead pastor, Tim, and his wife's decision to start their church serves as a practical example of responding to a calling. It highlights the real-life implications of trusting in God's plan over personal security and comfort. [01:15:31
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
2. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. Luke 9:57-62 - Jesus' interactions with potential followers, highlighting the costs of following Him.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Moses ask God to teach him in Psalm 90:12, and why is this significant?
2. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we created for, and who prepared these works for us?
3. In Luke 9:57-62, what are the three costs of following Jesus that are highlighted through His interactions with potential followers? [52:38
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "numbering our days" in Psalm 90:12 relate to living with intentionality and wisdom? [38:32
2. What does it mean to be God’s handiwork, and how should this understanding influence our view of our purpose and calling? [46:36
3. How do the costs of comfort, convenience, and commitment, as described in Luke 9, challenge common misconceptions about following Jesus? [52:38
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life. Are you living with intentionality and wisdom as Moses prayed for in Psalm 90:12? What changes can you make to better "number your days"? [38:32
2. How can you align your daily activities and long-term goals with the good works God has prepared for you, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:10? [46:36
3. Think about a time when you felt called to step out of your comfort zone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you better embrace discomfort in pursuit of your calling? [56:03
4. Identify a specific area in your life where convenience has hindered your commitment to following Jesus. What practical steps can you take to overcome this obstacle? [01:02:07
5. Consider the story of Tim and his wife starting their church. What sacrifices did they make, and how can their example inspire you to make bold decisions in following your calling? [01:15:31
6. How can you begin to discover your calling by following Jesus more closely? What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [50:22
7. Imagine your life in 2027. What steps can you take now to ensure that your future aligns with God's purpose and produces eternal value? [43:11
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Divine Design
Each individual carries a unique divine calling, a purpose beyond mere occupation, intricately woven by the Creator. This calling is not confined to the walls of vocational ministry but extends to all areas of life, beckoning one to make a lasting impact in the world. It is a journey of discovering how to serve and contribute in ways only one can. [46:36]
Ephesians 4:1 - "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
Reflection: What are the unique gifts and passions that you possess, and how can you use them to serve others and fulfill your divine calling?
Day 2: Counting the Cost of Commitment
Pursuing one's calling demands a willingness to forsake comfort, embrace inconvenience, and commit with unwavering dedication. This path is not without its challenges, yet it is through these sacrifices that one's purpose is pursued and potential is realized. The journey towards one's calling is a testament to the depth of one's faith and the strength of one's resolve. [01:11:32]
Luke 14:28 - "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"
Reflection: What comforts might you need to give up to pursue your calling, and how can you prepare yourself for the sacrifices that lie ahead?
Day 3: Following Jesus to Find Your Calling
The path to understanding one's calling often begins with a step of faith—following Jesus. It is in the act of surrender and commitment to Christ that one's true identity and purpose are revealed. As one walks with Jesus, the direction for life becomes clearer, and the calling that once seemed distant comes into focus. [50:22]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus to gain clarity on your calling?
Day 4: Envisioning a Life of Eternal Significance
Imagining one's future should transcend temporal ambitions, focusing instead on the pursuit of a life that carries eternal significance. Goals and aspirations are important, but aligning them with God's purpose ensures that one's life journey leaves an indelible mark that echoes into eternity. [43:11]
Matthew 6:19-20 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: What does your ideal life look like in light of eternity, and how can you start aligning your current goals with God's eternal purposes?
Day 5: Trusting God's Plan Over Personal Comfort
The narrative of personal sacrifice and trust in God's plan, as exemplified by those who have responded to their calling, serves as a powerful testament to faith in action. It is a reminder that true fulfillment often lies beyond the boundaries of security and comfort, in the realm of divine trust and obedience. [01:15:31]
Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to trust God more deeply, and what steps can you take to relinquish control and step into the unknown with faith?
Quotes
1) "You find your calling after you start following. You find your calling after you start following Jesus." [50:22
2) "God has a purpose for your life. It's not just for pastors; it's for all of us. We are not accidents of nature but purposed by a creator." [46:36
3) "Following Jesus is going to take you to some really uncomfortable places when you say I'm all in." [58:51
4) "Your calling might not just be to run your business; it might be deeper than that. Your calling might not just be a nurse; it might be deeper than that." [01:19:34
5) "I called you to bear fruit, Eternal fruit. I can do that if I'm pastoring this church or if I'm not. I can do that when I'm 70 years old; I could do that when I'm 23 years old." [01:21:26
6) "I think sometimes we never pause to say, 'God, hold on, who am I going to be in three years?' What if we never stopped to think, 'God, what did you create me for?'" [44:20
7) "Stepping into your calling will require you to step out of comfort. Following Jesus will require you to step into really uncomfortable places." [59:25
8) "We could build really successful lives in the eyes of the world but never do something significant that would leave an impact for future generations." [43:46
9) "Your true identity and purpose are discovered after making a commitment to follow Christ." [01:24:45
10) "The pursuit of one's calling comes with costs, including comfort, convenience, and commitment. These challenges require individuals to step out of their comfort zones." [01:11:32
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