Know Your Calling part 2

1 Timothy 4:14 (NET) Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

In my last post I talked about searching for your purpose, your “calling” in life. This is somewhat a continuation of that post where I will be discussing more about your talents. Just to clarify, what I mean by talent is not merely artistic talents such as musical abilities, but any type of outpouring of yourself to others. If you are unsure what your talents are then ask yourself this question. What is it that you can do, not just for yourself but for others?

Juanita and I attended our first Catholic conference together as a married couple, back in 2006. It was for a charismatic Catholic community called Couples For Christ. The conference was held at the Gold Coast, here in Australia. I was blessed to have been part of the worship team, which was just one of many ministries during the weekend. Being part of the worship team made me realise that my true passion was to serve God through my music. There were other ministries such as production, multimedia, and technical staff. However I would like to pay special attention to the following ministries: child minding, transportation, catering, ushers, registration, even the people that tidy up. These my brothers are sisters are all ministries of our Lord. In God’s eyes, it doesn’t matter if you are up on the stage and leading the worship, or at the back of the venue opening doors for people. As long as your heart is fulfilling your role for God then it is an act of ministry. Let me ask you again. What is it that you can do, not just for yourself but ESPECIALLY for others? What is your calling? Are you good with music? Then maybe you are called to be part of the music ministry. Do you have IT background? Maybe you are called to serve in the technical areas, setting up laptops for talks or projectors or even multimedia. Do you have a passion for kids? Then maybe you can help by being part of child-minding during events? Do you like meeting new friends? Maybe you are called to serve as part of the transport team where you may be meeting new people.

When you use your talents to serve God, then that is when you will realise your full potential - as a musician, as a youth worker, as a child minder, parking attendant, caterer, IT person, but mostly as a person that God has intended you to be. This includes helping your fellow brothers and sisters, especially the needy regardless if they are Christian or not. When you are helping them then you are helping God’s people. And when you are helping God’s people then you are serving God.

1 Peter 4:10 (NET) Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God

God Bless you always!

Your Bro in Christ,

Joey

Know Your Calling part 1

Less than a year ago I asked my (then) 6-year old son, Isaiah, what he wanted to be when he grows up. He had a blank look on his face (as if he has not been asked this question by anyone in his life!). His immediate reply was "I dunno". So I interrogated him a bit further, being the persistent dad that I am. I asked him "So, what do you enjoy doing? Is it playing sports? Or dancing? Or drawing?". His reply was "I like playing with Pivot and playing with Wii and Playstation and the DS." Pivot is a computer program where you can create an animation using stick figures. "Oh I see", I replied excitedly. "Do you know that there is this job called a Games Programmer, where people get paid creating computer games?". And in a flash, his eyes lit up and there was this huge smile on his face. Suddenly the confused boy became an inspired programmer - the future is bright! Last week, I asked him again what he wanted to be when he grows up. His reply "A Games Programmer, dad!".


When I was young, I always wanted to be in the army. I had this army uniform that I got given when I was about 5, and according to my mum, I used to wear it everyday. The closest that I got to a real army uniform was when I was given a brochure about joining the Australian Army Reserve, when I was about 23 years old - 10 years ago.


Let me ask you this. What is it that your heart desires so much of? Do you know why you are here, on earth? What do you enjoy doing the most? What is your calling in life? I never knew the word "calling" until I started hanging around with Jesus-loving people. But it really sums up our core existence...our spiritual being...our purpose. When I was growing up, I used to keep a diary, which showed my love for writing. I also loved to sing in our church choir. I think that was the only reason I went to church back then. Oh and meeting girls, hehe. In highschool, I used to love jamming with some guys in the music room, playing the drums and also abit of the guitar.


Now that I think about it, those were seeds that God planted in my life. And what happens to a seed when it is planted over time? It can grow into this massive tree, roots going deep into the ground, branches that stretch out as far as it can, an abundant amount of leaves hanging on the many branches, and of course flowers or fruit. Wow!!! Isn't that amazing?! Isn't it a miracle happening right before our eyes?! I think it is! Like a tree, that is how I see myself, how I see this life that God has given me. What is my calling? To sing to and for our God! To write and share my heart to all His people via this blog or talks or even Facebook! To proclaim His glory using a pen, some scraps of paper, and my voice and hands! THAT is what I was created to do. THAT is what I enjoy the most. THAT is what my heart so desires. THAT my brothers and sisters, is my CALLING! That's right! There's no "buts" or "ifs" about it. I find inner peace and joy when I am with my God through my music, writing songs for Him, singing His praise, or sharing my life experiences to people so that they too can learn more about my God.


2 Timothy 1:9 (NET) "He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began."


Again I ask you. What is YOUR CALLING?


Have a blessed day!


Peace!