Ministry/Calling

I have been hearing from some people who are saying that they do not know what their calling is.  It seems on the surface to be a nonsensical statement, but with the common Christian view that our worth is somehow attached to what we can accomplish for God in the form of service and/or ministry it is not a surprising question.

When we see
 Pastors or Worship leaders in prominent positions we can get kind of starry-eyed in respect to what our calling or ministry might be all about, I know, I have many times questioned this myself in times past.  The fact is our main calling and ministry in the Christian life is to love and know Jesus.  We have been given a great gift from God in the form of a position with Jesus.

This position in Christ is the springboard where we can launch into our true calling and direction in our ministry of serving Jesus.  Does that mean that serving others in our local church or in our community is pre-mature or are we missing our God designed potential?  Absolutely not!  We serve "...as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 6:7)  in everything we do, giving Him thanks and honor in every opportunity given to serve.

Probably the best analogy of our position in Christ and what that looks like is in the story of Esther.  We are seated like Queen Esther with the King as His bride.
The following is a short animated adaptation of the Queen Esther story which details how she was destined to become the voice that saved her people from annihilation and also became the beloved bride of the King.

Here is a brief history of the name King Ahasuerus in the story of Esther:

It is believed that the name Ahasuerus is his Hebrew name, while at the same time the Greeks formed the word Xerxes for this Persian King.  So what is the meaning of the name and why is this important?  “...The true orthography of the name has come to light of late from what is called the cunciform writing, ….This appears to be translated i.e.  lion-king…” (taken from Strong’s Concordance)  Now, this is not a reference to the Disney movie, as much as it is a type and a shadow of the Lion of the tribe of Judah which is Jesus Himself.  Jesus is the true Lion King.

The story of Esther is pointing to Christ and demonstrating the mercy which is bestowed upon the bride of the King who was taken from such humble beginnings and placed in a position of great influence and power because of the love of the king.

We also share in such a great love from our "Lion King", who extends to us his hand of mercy.  We are brought to a position of influence and power to serve the interests of the King.  The King has expressed His great love and desire for us and has brought us close to Himself. That is truly our calling and our first ministry to our King.  It is not so much in what we do as a ministry, but about who we are and our favored position in the sight of the King and how we respond to serve Him.  We (like Esther) did not earn our position before the King, it was God’s gift to us.  Our King has seen great beauty in us, so much so that He would sacrifice Himself on our behalf to redeem us from the effects of sin that we may become His pure spotless bride.  Just as in the story of Esther, how her beauty surpassed all of the other young maidens of her time who were candidates to be Queen, our King sees within us immeasurable beauty which He lays claim to as His chosen bride

 Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

When we fail to recognize who we are in Christ, our faith can be very limited. If you do not see yourself as worthy to exercise your authority in Christ, then you won't be standing in the fullness of faith and will lack assurance. Satan works diligently to convince people that they are unworthy and unable to walk in the power of God. This is one of the most powerful strongholds in existence today in the body of Christ!  The truth is that we, by our own power and effort are unworthy, but it is the sacrifice of Jesus that makes us worthy.  And if we say we are unworthy when Jesus says we are, then we are denying the work that Jesus did for us on the cross!

Jesus made it abundantly clear that we have authority here on earth, which is naturally ours through the cross.  This is our position of being seated with Christ. Jesus demonstrated this when he cursed the fig tree:

Matthew 21:18-22 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. ¹⁹ And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

²⁰ And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

²¹ So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. ²² And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

I am distinctly aware that my position is ‘in Christ’.  As a follower of Christ this is where I gain my identity, glory, and ministry.  It is all about Him, it has always been all about Him, and for Him.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

May you know the King’s desire for you today as His love reaches beyond human reasoning, and beyond human expectations.  He sees within you a pure spotless bride, a beautiful reflection of Himself.  We naturally tend to become like and reflect the characteristics of the one we love.  We may not see what He sees in us, but we can be sure that His love is true and unfailing.  That we can put our hope and trust in.

Stephen Barnett

God Is So Good

(Words and Music by: Kevin Prosch)

God is so good
God is so good

He rides upon the wings of the wind

He is exalted by His name Jah

He walks in the midst of the stones of fire

                                       To be His sons is our desire

For the natural things

Speak of the invisible

Look around and see

Who could deny the wonders of His love

God is so good

God is so good

You reign on high in majesty

And the widow’s heart You cause to sing

You hear the cry of the fatherless

And the depth of Your love who can comprehend

For the natural things

Speak of the invisible

Look around and see

Who could deny the wonders of His love

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