What is Calling?

19 March 2020

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE USE THE WORD CALLING?

Calling is a bit of a loaded word - it can be a helpful word for some, but for others, the idea of calling can be confusing and raise questions like: 

• What is calling?
• Does everyone have a calling? 
• How does calling occur?
• How do I respond to calling? 
• Do all callings look the same?

Commonly in a church setting, when the word calling is mentioned, it's often used in reference to people going into fulltime ministry. 

You may have heard comments like "God called me into ministry when I was a teenager" or "I've had a sense of calling for a long time now". Or maybe someone's asked you "What's your calling?" or inquired of you "Have you ever thought about going into ministry?" 

You may have heard Christians say statements like 

• "God's called me to the marketplace", or 
• "I'm called to be a schoolteacher", or
• "God's placed on my heart to start a business", or
• "I just have this strong sense of purpose when I do this".

Some people are motivated by a sense of responsibility they get from reading Scripture and express calling as 

• "The Bible teaches this, so it simply an act of obedience", or 
• "The need is call", or 
• "It's a growing desire in your heart to do something you feel God wants you to do. And no matter how hard you try and shake it, you can't stop that sense that there's something more, something drawing you, something that you need to do – that's calling".

All of these are valid. 

So, is there a definition that can tie all of these together?  

A WORKING DEFINITION 

The word calling (Greek:kaléō) means: to be spoken to, to be invited, or to be summoned by God.

So we could say,

• Calling is an invitation offered to us by God, 
• Calling refers to the activity of God, whereby God asks, draws, or invites us to do something or to go somewhere, or
• Calling is about actively serving and playing our part in God's plan.

A FULLER DEFINITION OF CALLING  

When the topic of calling comes up, it's often linked to how it is applied to ministry, and that is appropriate. Still, it's also helpful to keep the bigger picture of calling in mind. 

There is an order to calling in Scripture, 

First, we are called to Christ:

• Jn 1:4 (NIV) In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
• Jn 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
• Acts 2:21 (NIV) "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved".

Jesus is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, it starts with Him, it ends with Him. We cannot make a false idol out of calling or our activity for God. We are saved by God's grace, not by our works. We are called to be children of God first. 

Second, we are called to Be:

• Zec 4:6 (NIV) So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.
• 1 Peter 2:19 (NIV): But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Growing in Christ-like character is what keeps our spiritual walk healthy. The demands of ministry life often, counterintuitively, distract us and pull us away from spending time with God. Before we are called to do, we are called to be – to be with God. We are dependent upon God's redemptive power and grace to empower us to be Salt and Light in this world. All ministry is empowered from, and flows from, the intimate time we spend seeking God. 

Third, we are called to Do: 

• Micah 6:8 (NLT) "O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God".
• Matt 5:13-16 (NIV) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
• Jam 2:14-17 (NIV) "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So, you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

The gospel is to be shared with others. Scripture makes it clear that God intends for us to be the light of Jesus for others:

• to be a light in our workplaces,
• to be a light in our communities, 
• to be a light in our street and to our neighbours. 

We've all been called by God to share the love of Jesus with everyone – we're not meant to hide that love away.

Jesus goes on to say,

"No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bed" (Matt 5:15)

We are called to be Jesus' hands and feet. 

A COMMON THREAD

No matter what definition we land on, calling – in each one of them – requires a response.   

"Calling is an invitation into a God initiated activity, role, or task – that requires our response." 

We pray you would be filled with God's Spirit and respond to God's leading today.

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Other articles on this topic: 

The Two sides of Calling

The Shape of Calling

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Note: If you like to speak to someone about calling, feel free to contact us: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/comealive/contact-us/