19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . . Matthew 28:19
My own personal calling came from the conviction that the words that I read in Scripture were speaking to me personally. As I read and became more familiar with the Bible, through the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word, I came to understand that God was commanding me to get in the game instead of treating the Christian life as an interesting intellectual or social pursuit. But I wasn’t being dragged into ministry kicking and screaming. I wanted to serve God with my time and talents because I viewed laboring to expand the kingdom of God as the greatest possible human pursuit. What could be a greater use of time than laboring to promote and share with the world, the only thing that has eternal reality? Everything around us is temporary, but as Christians, we have the privilege of laboring for that which is eternal. I hear people say all the time that they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. That is excellent, but how much more excellent is membership in the eternal kingdom of God? How much greater and more important is the work when the work produces a crop that will have an eternal impact? Serving God, and others in the name of God is the greatest work we can engage in.
So, should everyone drop everything to become a pastor, Christian worker, or a missionary? In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He applied to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a brother and to spend the rest of his life in the monastery. “Your Majesty,” said Prior Richard, “do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king.”
“I understand,” said Henry. “The rest of my life, I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.” Upon hearing this reply, Prior Richard said, “Then I will tell you what to do. Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.”
This story makes an important point. God has planted you in a certain place, and He would have you be a good accountant, retired person, business person, teacher, factory worker, mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or sister. Disciples of Christ are needed in all walks of life to bring light to all walks of life. Godly workers and especially leaders are needed in all capacities.
But remember, there are 168 hours in a week, and we can do more than one thing with our lives. You can have an active work and home life where all that you do is informed by the Master you serve, and you can still have a vibrant church life serving in the ministries of the church and perhaps your own ministry pursuits. Also, there are stages in life where there is more time to serve God. We can take advantage of that. God would have everyone make time to serve in the church and to expand His kingdom. Yes, there are times to step back, but you can still be an encourager and cheerleader from the sidelines. For some, the call to serve God professionally and full-time will seem compelling, exciting, and unavoidable. That was how it was with me. If that is your situation, go and do it prayerfully and with the power of the Holy Spirit and His wind at your back. If that is what God would have you do, He will open the doors. In either case, Jesus Christ expects us to be faithful, where he puts us, bearing much fruit proving we are His disciples.