In my twenty years of ministry I have had many people come up to me and say that they are feeling “called” into the ministry. By this they usually mean that something has happened and they feel that God wants them to be involved with some form of full-time ministry. It is very likely that you have felt this same calling at some point in your life? I did at a very young age.
But what exactly does that mean? For every person that has actually said those words to me only a very small percentage have actually pursued a life of ministry. Why is that? Didn't they get the “calling?” Isn't that pretty much a promise that you will be in full-time ministry? Unfortunately not.
It is important to realize that many people get called to serve God in a larger capacity. What matters more than the calling is what you do with that calling. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 22:14: For many are called, but few are chosen.
So although many people are called to do great things for the Kingdom of God, not many are actually chosen to do that work. Why is that? Because they don't do what they need to do to be chosen or they have somehow disqualified themselves from being chosen.
Here are a few things to consider if you feel that God is calling you to greater things or if someone you know is feeling that call.
Faithfulness
In Luke 16, Jesus says that if we are faithful in little things we will be faithful in big things as well. Are you a person of your word? If you commit to do something are you faithful to complete it?
So many people want great responsibility but they aren't willing to excel in the small responsibilities. When God chooses someone he chooses people that are faithful to the calling he has put on them.
Principals
It is surprising how many people think that just because God has forgiven us that we can do whatever we want. If you feel called by God but you are still living with areas of unconfessed sin you will not liked be chosen to actually fulfill that calling. With a calling comes greater responsibility and accountability.
Discipline
It doesn't matter if you are called to be a tech director or a senior pastor we are all called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Are you following his example of living your life in a way that honors Him? Is prayer and studying the Scripture an important part of your life? Do you give generously or ever fast? These things don't make us right with God, but it helps us in our journey of being a disciple of Jesus.
How well have you made the transition from being simply “called” to being “chosen?” If God has called you, or someone you know, then it is now up to you to work to become one of the chosen. A calling doesn't give you the promise that you will actually do what you feel God has called you to. It takes a lot of work on your part.
I have never seen anyone regret being chosen by God to fulfill what He called them to do. Being chosen by God to serve him in tech ministries, or any other ministry for that matter, is by far the most rewarding thing you will ever do with your life.
Whether you have just recently felt God calling you in a specific direction or if you have been pursuing that calling for many years, it is important to continue making sure that you are worthy of being chosen for that task. Keep moving forward. Keep being faithful in both little things and large. And put Christ first in all that you do.
