Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
What does it mean to be called? How do we know we're called to something? Growing up, I was really confused about the term "calling" because I thought it was only for pastors and deacons and worship leaders. Honestly, I thought you had to be super spiritual to be called.
God Called Jeremiah Because He Loved Him
In our verse today, God calls Jeremiah, and He begins by saying, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb." I love the word "knew" there because it's relational. God didn't choose Jeremiah because Jeremiah had a good track record and he did a lot of stuff for God. No, no, God simply chose him because He loved him.
When I was thinking about this verse, I started asking myself, what does it mean to be called? Because God appoints him as a prophet to the nations. In fact, as you look at Jeremiah's ministry, it wasn't very fruitful. He was faithful, but there wasn't a lot of fruit. Based on the world's standards, the world can look at him and say, this guy was a failure.
Our Highest Calling
What does it mean to be called? I want to answer that question. Our highest calling as Christians is to love God. Mark chapter 12, verse 30 says to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That is every Christian's highest calling. When we do that, we are walking out our calling. Then there's some things, specific things that God calls us to. Sometimes God will give us a passion for something, and we go to bed and we think about that thing all the time. Sometimes there's certain things that honestly bug us and we're like, I hate seeing this in the world. I'm going to devote my life to this calling.
How Do We Know We're Called?
How do we know we're called? Number one, we know we're called because the Word of God tells us that God has called us and set us apart to love Him and to walk with Him. The Bible tells us that we're called to live a life of purity. It's so important that we understand the general call for the Christian, which is the Bible. Then there's a specific call that God has for us. That happens as we read His Word, as we spend time praying, as we seek wise counsel, as we go to church and people start to affirm the gifts that we have.
Be Part of a Church Community
That's why it's so important to be a part of a church, because people are going to notice certain gifts in you that you probably don't notice. A lot of times those gifts are linked to your calling. What I love about Jeremiah's ministry is he remained faithful even though he didn't see a lot of fruit.
Stay Faithful to the Call
I don't know what it is that God is calling you to today, but here's what I do know. Our job is to be faithful to the call. We know this: the results of our faithfulness are not ours. God may give you a big platform. God may give you a small platform. Nothing changes. The only thing that He requires of us is that we stay faithful to the call.
