Calling is a weird thing. Many believe that God “calls” us to specific tasks or people or places, but I am not too sure. I know wholeheartedly He calls us towards a person and a way of being, yet specifics have never seemed to jive with my experience. God gives incredible choice to His kids, especially post-Jesus. We are truly free to follow the words of Augustine who said something to the effect of “love God, then do what you wish”. While in ministry, many used the term calling like a secret handshake between hooded henchmen instead of explaining the diverse joy His calling brings.
Many in the Church look down on unbridled joy. To many, freedom is to be restrained.
I have asked the question many times whether I was called to be a pastor. It’s a difficult question because now I am not.
Did I lose favor? Does God not want me?
See, when we look at calling as a divine mystery to figure out, we lose the character of God who speaks plainly and hides little from His children. I have seen many young adults who struggle with what God has called them to only to get frustrated, never to find “it”. What if being a pastor is a choice? What if what you are doing in your life is your choice? What if God loves you anyways?
I have been both blessed and cursed to be around countless pastors in my life. I would say many of you are doing more ministry than the majority of they are. Many are detached, unreasonable, and insecure. Many do not hold their lives to the standards they teach to others. This is a harsh reality. . . . . but it is true and it was true of me.
What if there was no “us” and “them”?
What if we were all to carry the Word and life of Christ with us into a world who didn’t know either?
To pastor is to pursue a high duty. It is an honor to lead people to the character of Christ. Yet, to think that God talks to them differently than the rest of us, is simply a misunderstanding of the Lord we serve who celebrates the least and exposes the entitled.
* I want to add a disclaimer to this post. I am not entirely sure how much I believe of this post. Sometimes it is helpful for writers to throw the ideas we mostly believe against the wall to see if they stick. Make no mistake, I love the Church and I admire anyone who pastors. But I also love Jesus and know He is the same one who empowered countless people in Scripture who never led churches. I am curious to hear what you think. Email me!
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