“Calling” is God’s invitation by which we respond to the salvation offered in Christ. It is God requesting our response to become disciples because of the Good News of the Cross and Resurrection. This ceramic cross my husband made symbolizes the invitation of the Cross, which embodies the Love of God in Christ. Our response to the invitation is our ministry.
“Ministry” can be defined as what we do as Christians to share our faith. It is the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” We do that by using our Strengths as we feel Called by God to Ministry.
“Strength” has several definitions, including: physical power to carry out demanding tasks; the emotional quality necessary to deal with stressful situations, or stress, or an attack; it is a source of support; an intensity of belief; and a valuable, useful asset or quality. For Christians the word strength means those abilities, assets, qualities, etc. that can be used to preach the Gospel to the world.
In I Cor. 7:20 we are urged to remember that we don’t have to change who we are to respond to God’s call and be effective in our ministry. In the Letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called (KJV)." Other translations say, “Every one should remain in the state in which you were called (RSV)” and “Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. (NRSV)” We are able to serve God no matter what our vocation is.
Paul’s advice continues in verse 21-24 and encourages us to remember we can serve God no matter what our physical circumstances: “Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ.” We can expand this to say..."were you a housewife, a student, an executive, a secretary, a welder, a ... (you fill in the blank) when called, do not seek to change."
The bottom line is, as vs. 23 says, “You were bought with a price [Christ’s Cross]…In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.” No matter what you do, your life can (and should) show Christ by using the abilities (strengths) you have.
St. Francis is attributed with saying “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” This means that we need to use our abilities or our strengths to show everyone we meet what it means to be someone ‘Called’ and chosen by Christ. I Cor. 7:17 urges us to “lead the live which the Lord has assigned to him, an in which God has called him. (RSV)” The NRSV version says, “let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you.” We don’t have to change who we are or what we are doing, just do it to the Glory of God, knowing that “the joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Take time this week to think about your Strengths: those abilities and gifts you have that make you a unique and necessary part of Christ’s kingdom.
Consider your response to God’s invitation—God’s hand held out to you in love. Scott Peck wrote a book entitled “What Return Can I Make?” Ask yourself that question in relation to God’s Call to you.
Does your Ministry use your Strengths in active response to God’s Call?
