Why are you here?

When did the idea of being "called" come to mean "called to the ministry" only? Who exactly is called and what, on earth, does it mean? To "be called" means to be invited to take part or participate in. The Bible says "...For the gifts and calling are without repentance" (Romans 11:29).

According to scripture, all believers are called to do (or invited to participate in) God's purpose which is multi-faceted ... not just those who are "called to the ministry". Throughout the history of Christianity, Satan has tried everything from apples to the cross to defeat believers. Now, we see his subtleness emerging on a new front using God's promises to intimidate Christians by implying that some Christians are used of God because they are "called" while others are useless in the Kingdom because they are "not called --into the ministry". Intimidation is a tool of the devil. Lasting ministry, even for preachers and other church leaders, is outside the church ... the more outreaching a church is; the more vitality and growth they will experience. Churches that stay within themselves never experience growth.

The devil has deceived believers into believing they have no reason for being. Many live in constant discouragement and defeat because they "feel" they are undeserving of God's "calling" while he emphasizes, and over-glorifies, the calling of others around them. Feeling unworthy? Well, that's just another tool of the devil.

Christians have an idea of what they think a fulfilled Christian's life should be like and when they don't measure up to their own expectations of perfection and can't see themselves with a "calling", they fall prey to deception and discouragement. A useless feeling sets in and they struggle just to get to church ... Afterall, they have nothing there "to do". It's time to think outside the box for ministry. There are only so many jobs inside the church, but hundreds outside.

We should redefine the mark of value. A Christian's value is not in a church job, but in the view of the call we all have to win others to Christ regardless of who we are. Winning souls should be the heartbeat of a Christian.

The truth is, everyone has a purpose. You are valuable in God's plan. Every Christian shares the same basic calling that Apostle Paul called: "a servant of Christ ... set apart for the gospel of God". God hands out the assignments, but assignment and calling are not the same thing. There is no single definition for calling, but if you feel "called" to a specific assignment, you know it.

What do you have a heart for? If it's godly, then you can rest assured, your purpose will somehow be attached to that love.