August 20, 2019
Pursue Your Calling
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).
More from the Girlfriends
My husband, Dan, loves Mark Twain. He says that Twain is one of heroes. And I must admit, Twain wrote some great stuff over his lifetime. But my all-time favorite Mark Twain quote is this:
“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you
find out why.”
That quote gets at the heart of a set of questions that women everywhere ponder on a regular basis:
- Why am I here?
- Why did God create me?
- Why do I matter?
As always, we turn to our Truth Source for answers. We look to the Bible for God’s answers to our questions.
Here is the verse for today:
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).
God says you are His masterpiece. The Greek word for “masterpiece” is “poema” which is the same word from which we get “poem.” You are a work of art and God’s poem.
That verse speaks a very important truth to us. And it is this: Jesus wants to give you more by helping you discover your calling. He wants you to experience what He created you to do. He wants you to become all that He designed you to be.
Jesus has more for you.
He has a plan for you.
He has a design for you.
He has a calling for you.
And until you discover that calling – you will always be looking for more.
Let’s go back to that verse – Ephesians 2:10 – but this time in the amplified translation. There are three reasons I love the amplified version of the Bible:
- It is the longest translation of the New Testament – twice as many words.
- It is the only major translation written by a woman – hmmm.
- It is an amplified translation – meaning the translator makes the use of phrases in parenthesis to amplify the meaning of the verse.
Let me show you what I mean. Here is Ephesians 2:10 in the Amplified Translation:
For we are His workmanship (His own master work, a work of art), created in Christ Jesus (reborn from above – spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used), for good works, which God prepared (for us) beforehand so that we would walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us).
Wow!
We are masterpieces of God’s own work, created to be used by God, to do good in this world, and to live the prearranged life that He designed us and made us for.
There is only one catch. You have to pursue it.
Seems to me that most people get caught up in two pursuits. We pursue career and we pursue family. And those are worthy pursuits. But be warned. Those kids you are raising are going to leave home one day. And while they will most likely bring you grandkids – which are God’s reward for raising your kids – those grandkids will eventually outgrow the need to spend time with you. And career can take all kinds of unexpected turns. Layoffs, cutbacks, conflicts with management, and being forced to retire early because they can hire two people for what they pay you – these are all realities that happen far too often in this world. Is this all there is? Pursuing family and pursuing career?
I believe there is a third pursuit. It is the forgotten pursuit. The overlooked pursuit. The road so often untaken.
It is the pursuit of God’s calling in your life.
He made you for a purpose, a plan, a design, a calling.
You can fill your days with the pursuits of family and career. And those are noble pursuits. But we are made for more. We are made for a calling.
By calling, I mean the thing God created you to do.
By calling, I mean the person God created you to become.
By calling, I mean discovering God’s design for your life.
Will you find that calling by accident?
Not likely.
Will you find it by the process of elimination?
Nope.
You find your calling by doing this: pursue Christ and His calling.
You have to pursue Him. Most things in life that are worth having must be pursued. That is certainly the case with discovering the calling God has for you.
Make the choice today to pursue God’s plan and calling for your life. Don’t settle for less than all God has for you.
Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for creating me in response to Your plan for my life. I choose to pursue You and the calling You have for me. Help me ignore the distractions that would compel me to take the wrong path. Show me how to listen to Your voice above all others. I want more. I want You, Father.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Are you tired of taking the wrong paths and making the wrong decisions? Do you want all God has for you? Choose today to pursue Christ and His calling on your life through prayer, through reading and saturating your life with the Word, and by surrounding yourself with others on the same journey.
More from the Girlfriends
As followers of Christ, we have a spiritual GPS called the Holy Spirit. Through reading and saturating our lives with the Bible, God’s plan unfolds in our lives. The Holy Spirit then guides us and strengthens us to follow that plan. Need help? Get Mary’s book How to Study the Bible. Connect with Mary through email or on Facebook. And be sure to sign up to receive Mary’s new blog!
Seeking God?
GirlfriendsInGod.com
Originally published Tuesday, 20 August 2019.
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