"Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service." (Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life p. 29).
Over the past several days, I've been reflecting on what has become a major mile marker in my life, ordination into The United Methodist Church. I've been thinking lately how I got here, why me and what now. Since I'm not dead yet I can only surmise that this mile mark was meant to lead somewhere further and that this too is part of the journey. I take this moment as the ending of one new beginning and the beginning of another. I also take added confidence and satisfaction in knowing that I'm headed in the right direction.
Perhaps it is a moment of rest from the exhausting climb to this point, perhaps it is a warning for the troubles that lie ahead or perhaps it serves as an encouragement I will need face life's challenges and doubts with even greater courage and conviction.
Looking back, however, I thought I might try to capture some what I've learned about hearing, preparing and following the Calling of God.
Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson, Me, Rev. Dr. Patrick Kerr
“God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, ". . . who will go for Us?" The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.” ― Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Traditional Updated Edition
(2) Be Prepared - This sounds obvious, but it isn't. Learn the skills, techniques and paths from those who have gone before. Ministry requires a unique set of personal skills. Having come from the corporate world, I've been amazed at the behaviors that are common in the church. Things are said and done in the name of the Church that would never be allowed in the business or secular world. Be prepared for Hard Work in Mind, Soul and Spirit.
This may mean being a bit selfish and putting your physical and emotional health above all things. If you're not healthy emotionally or physically, to say nothing of spiritually, you'll fall off the mountain and usually with a terrible crash. Most of the flame outs you hear about in the news from the bad behavior of pastors is because they climbed higher than their emotional or physical health could endure.
I've been surprised along the way how many people try to avoid the educational requirements for ordination. This is crazy silly. Seek wisdom, hunger for the help of deep thinkers and wise counselors, learn the skills of the trade and learn all you can from the experiences, trials and success of others. "But what about the Spirit," you ask... "Aren't you quenching the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit?" NOT AT ALL. Give the Holy Spirit something to work with, go and gather the great pearl, Go plow the fields, go and do the work of an evangelist.
“Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5) “Behind every specific call, whether it is to teach or preach or write or encourage or comfort, there is a deeper call that gives shape to the first: the call to give ourselves away - the call to die.” ― Michael Card, The Walk: The Life-changing Journey of Two Friends(3) Trust the Process - Almost everyone I've met on this journey has had the same mental and spiritual battles I've experienced. Moment of doubt and the occasional struggle about turning back. Would you expect otherwise? There are moment of sublime joy and beauty in ministry as well as weeks and months of incredible brokenness and pain. I've shocked, however, at how extreme these emotions are and how devastating they can be. Still, don't trust you're own wisdom or understanding, but fall back on a group of supporters and encouragers.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6(4) Stay in Love with God - God calls us to himself not because we have achieved something that caught His attention, but because we were willing to answer the summons. "God does not call the equipped, but equips the called." Carve out time for God's Word. Be Ruthless about spending time in Prayer and worship. Set goals for acts of Service in which you're not teaching or leading. In other words, wash some feet every now and then. It it good medicine for the soul and the spirit.
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship “Behind every specific call, whether it is to teach or preach or write or encourage or comfort, there is a deeper call that gives shape to the first: the call to give ourselves away - the call to die.” ― Michael Card, The Walk: The Life-changing Journey of Two FriendsDuring my last interview with Board of Ordained Ministry, I was asked a question about Scripture and my calling. "What verse from Scripture best captures your sense of calling to pastoral ministry?" I would like to leave you with my response that I try to remember daily, reflect on daily and act on daily. If you are feeling God's calling on your life... May it serve you well. "It is [Jesus] whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me." [Colossians 1:28-29]
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
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…thank you, Pastor Steve, for sharing “the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart” with us once again.
…thank You, God, for — in Your infinite wisdom — choosing and calling Pastor Steve into the ministry and for growing him and his heart for You over these past thirteen years through both Your Holy Word and the pains and the blessings he has experienced in his journey toward ordination and in preparation for what lies before him because, as Card wrote, “Behind every specific call, whether it is to teach or preach or write or encourage or comfort, there is a deeper call that gives shape to the first: the call to give ourselves away – the call to die.”
…and thank You, Holy Spirit, for indwelling Pastor Steve so that it was Your voice and not that of the naysayers he heard encouraging him ever-onward in pursuit and understanding of “the call” and in pursuit and understanding of the purpose God has for his life in which, over and over again, he is constantly serving God by “making disciples and making a difference ‘so that [he, like Paul,] may present everyone mature in Christ. For this [he, with his heart after God’s own heart,] toils and struggles with all the energy that [Christ] powerfully inspires within [him.]”
…congratulations, Pastor Steve, yes, on your ordination; but, first and foremost, praise be to God for and congratulations on your choosing to say, “Yes, ‘here I am, LORD; send me.'” The world of and for God is a better place because you did.