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For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 (ESV)
And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’… For nothing will be impossible with God. And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’
Luke 1:34, 37-38
Ever wonder what God’s calling is for you?
After a monumental loss, we often ask “Now what?” We shared a oneness with our spouses, but now that we’re alone, we ask, “What is my purpose?”
I have asked that question too.
I can remember sitting at my desk one night, notebook open and tears flowing down my face asking, “I have had a life as a ‘we.’ What is it now that it’s just me?” My life was so enmeshed with Ronald’s I didn’t know where I fit. We both worked on an apologetic (defense of the faith) ministry together. Both our writings were in documents on our computer, plus the many books he had written. None of them were published. A depressing thought for me.
Still, I asked, What was I supposed to do?
The funny thing was nothing. Through my grief, God wasn’t requiring me to alter my personality or suddenly acquire a new skill set. Unknown to me, God had equipped me for the task that awaited me, which was, at the time, teaching the adult Sunday school class. Later it was to write my own memoirs and blogs.
God’s calling is often like that, using the gifts He has given us for a specific purpose, His glory. As for where that call may lead, all bets are off. God will take us to places we can never imagine and will expose us to situations we can never predict. I certainly didn’t predict I would be authoring several books (which are in the revising stage to be published) or increasing my knowledge of the internet and social media. Blogs were a foreign language to me. Ronald was the tech guy in our house.
We may think we have nothing to offer.
“Who am I?” we ask. But God uses regular people who find themselves in difficult or extraordinary circumstances. Such opportunities are often larger than we can imagine. We may not see it, but we can agree along with Mary,
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38
True, Mary’s calling was extraordinary and unique, yet our calling is also typical of God.
He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Father, thank You for giving us the opportunity to be a part of something much larger than ourselves. Help us to use our talents and abilities in ways that will make a difference in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
