What are we supposed designed to do?
This question has been rolling over in the cavernous space that is my head for some time. I know what I do for a living, and for those that don’t know, I am a shepherd. My flock is probably one of the most tricky to define, and yet one of the most rewarding to serve. I hesitate to put this here, but I will. Much like a police officer, or a school teacher, I don’t do this for the money. I do this for the love of what I do.
I’ve had my moments of questioning this calling, this thing that God has chosen me for. I’ve even had moments of people questioning if I was really called to do this, or just really liked it enough to think I was called. My answer to that is, ‘have you ever done youth ministry?’ While it’s true that it takes a special sort, it also takes a called sort. You see I could understand the thought of maybe I just haven’t grown up yet, and enjoy hanging out with teens. If I had been new at this, or only done it for a few years. But having been involved in ministry to teens and preteens for the better part of 17 years, I’m pretty sure that I’m either called to this, or insane. ( NO COMMENTS!)
But, like Romans 1:29 says, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” I read that to mean, that what God has called me to, that He’s not going to say, oh wait, I was wrong, you are supposed to be a puppeteer, or a elder. Or whatever. But I know that I’ve been called to this, my question is, for how long? Must I some day, as is often the question to Youth Pastors, grow up and become a “Real Pastor”? Or is this something that is “without repentance,” and will just change the appearance of what it looks like on the surface, yet remain the same in my heart?
I have no desire, no drive, no pull, to be a Pastor of a church. Yet at the same time, I have every desire and intent to fully live what God has called me to, regardless of what it looks like. It is my belief that someday they will pry my old, decrepit body from the pulpit of a youth room somewhere, and have a homecoming service for me, somewhere between the dodge ball game, and the youth worship team singing Marvelous Light. That is how certain I am of my calling. That is how certain I am that this is what I was designed to do.
The bible says in 2 Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” I would leave you with this thought: Have you made your calling and election sure? God is calling, are you listening?
Undignifed and unashamed.
Jeff
