The Desire to Finish the Work to Which You are Called

Our calling as Christians is two-fold. We are called to be Christlike, and then we also have a unique ministry to fulfill based on our giftedness and who we are.

My focus on Sunday will be on the latter. The apostle Paul declared: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24) Paul's calling was to proclaim Jesus Christ to others and to places where the Holy Spirit led him.

Paul recognized, too, that if he felt he were not living out his calling, but just existing (i.e. just living for his own sake and pleasure), his life would be worth nothing. Just as Paul recognized his purpose in life, we also need to look at our own individual purpose (ministry) to which we are called. Pastor Rick Warren in his book The Purpose Driven Life invites people to look at their SHAPE, which is the acronym for spiritual gifts, heart, abilties, personality, and experiences. Through these parts of our lives we would find what is special about each of us and what we have to give to the world.

Once you have recogized your purpose, another factor you must consider is: Do you have the desire to live it out? You could let your purpose lie dormant. I believe we find fulfillment in life, when we are not living strictly for ourselves, but when our lives are aligned with how God has individually made us.

Do you know what your SHAPE would be? Is the desire or passion alive in you for living it out?