Made for Mission

Have you ever felt a stirring in your heart, a burden for something greater than yourself? Perhaps you've wondered if there's more to life than just going through the motions of your daily routine. The truth is, each of us has been created with a purpose, called to be part of something far bigger than we could imagine.

Consider the story of John McCue, a regular guy from Stellerton, Nova Scotia. One day, while driving with his mother, he hit a pothole. Instead of just getting angry and moving on like most of us would, John decided to take action. He grabbed a shovel and some gravel and started filling potholes – not just the one he hit, but others he found as well. John didn't wait for someone else to solve the problem; he became the solution.

This simple act of initiative mirrors a profound truth about our spiritual lives. We are all called to action, to be part of God's mission in the world. Just as John saw a need and filled it, we too are invited to open our eyes to the needs around us and respond.

The biblical story of Nehemiah beautifully illustrates this concept. Nehemiah was not a priest or a prophet, but a cupbearer – essentially a government worker. Yet, when he heard about the dire state of Jerusalem – its walls broken down and its gates destroyed – he felt a deep burden in his heart. This burden was the beginning of his calling.

Nehemiah's story teaches us several crucial lessons about discovering and living out our divine calling:

1. Calling Begins with a Burden

Every believer, regardless of their profession or life stage, has a God-given calling. The myth that only a select few are "called into ministry" has crippled the church's mission for too long. The truth is, we are all called to leverage our lives for the spread of the gospel. The question isn't whether we're called, but where and how.

What breaks your heart? What injustice or need in the world keeps you up at night? That very thing might be the seed of your calling. A teacher who weeps for her students, a business owner who longs to fund the gospel, a mom who burns to pray for the next generation – these are all examples of how callings are born in holy burdens.

2. Calling Requires Prayer and Fasting Before Action

Before Nehemiah took any action to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, he spent days in prayer and fasting. He built an altar before he built a wall. This teaches us a crucial lesson: if God calls you to do something, He will first call you to Himself.

Your calling is strengthened in prayer. Before you speak, pray. Before you build, pray. Before you go, pray. Ministry without prayer is mere activism, but ministry with prayer is anointed service. Nehemiah's ministry started not with blueprints, but with repentance and intercession.

3. Calling Uses What's In Your Hand

Nehemiah wasn't a preacher; he was a cupbearer. Yet God used his position to open doors to kings and resources. This reminds us that God doesn't call the qualified – He qualifies the called. Your current vocation – whether you're a teacher, carpenter, nurse, or student – is your pulpit. Wherever you are is where God has called you to minister.

Your job is not separate from your calling; it is a platform for it. Nehemiah never wore a priestly robe, yet he fulfilled a priestly mission. He reminds us that ministry is not for the few – it is for every believer.

As we ponder these truths, let's consider the powerful example set in the film "Hacksaw Ridge." Based on a true story, it portrays a World War II medic who, due to his spiritual beliefs, refuses to carry a weapon. In a pivotal scene, his battalion retreats from a deadly ridge, but he stays behind throughout the night, risking his life to save "just one more" wounded soldier.

This attitude of "one more" encapsulates the heart of our calling. What if each of us approached our divine mission with this perspective? If we all had this mindset, imagine the impact we could have on the world around us.

Your vocation is your calling. Your burden is your ministry. Your prayer is your power. You've been called by God and made for a mission. The question is, will you answer that call?

As you go about your week, consider these questions:

1. What burden has God placed on your heart?
2. How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily life and decision-making?
3. In what ways can you use your current position or skills to further God's mission?
4. Who is the "one more" God might be calling you to reach out to?

Remember, you are not just employed – you are called. Your life has a divine purpose, and you have been uniquely positioned to fulfill it. Whether you're filling potholes like John McCue, rebuilding walls like Nehemiah, or saving lives like the medic in "Hacksaw Ridge," your calling matters.

Let's embrace the mission we've been made for, allowing our holy burdens to drive us to our knees in prayer, and then propel us into Spirit-led action. The world is waiting for each of us to step into our divine calling. Are you ready?