Discerning our unique calling is not always a simple thing. We need to be quiet enough to hear God's still, small voice. We must also faithfully read the Scriptures, pray diligently, follow the Lord's teachings, listen to wise friends who know us, and consistently make ourselves available to serve. Finally, we have to remain open to God's possibilities, always willing to take the outrageous risk and do the unpredictable thing. (Stearns, Richard. The Hole in Our Gospel. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009)
Read through the above quote again. There are seven elements listed as essential to discerning your unique calling. Which ones are you missing? Maybe that's why you're frustrated. I know why I'm frustrated - #5 and #6 are my weak links.
Why are there weak links? For me, it is an issue of trusting others. It's hard to "listen to wise friends" if I don't let friends really get to know me. People get to know me more than I like when I "serve." And why is it hard for me to let people get to know me? Satan has fed me a little lie that I've eaten up for most of my life... no one is interested in what I have to say or what I think.
Ironic, isn't it? Satan uses lies that relate directly to what God is calling us to do. That sly devil.
What is your weak link? What lie is Satan using to keep you weak?
2 comments:
Number 5 and number 7 would probably be mine.
I understand feeling like people aren't interested in what you have to say. Too many times I've seen people's eyes glaze over when I've been talking. For I long time, I thought I must be a really boring person. But now I think most people just aren't good listeners!
Admittedly, we are all primarily interested in ourselves...
I think my weakest link is trusting others too. God has been so faithful to us, He sends small ways to learn to trust every day as well as huge ways to learn. It is up to me if I choose to learn and change. This past few years with my husband's illness, and lung transplant, have given me many opportunities to learn to trust people but mostly God. Tomorrow will be one year since his transplant, and I can say that both of us have learned trust in a whole new way. Thank you for your words, your knowledge, for sharing with everyone, and your prayers. Monica
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