Ephesians
2:10
“For we are His
workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus
[reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the
good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”
CALLED
About
two years after I accepted the Lord as my Savior I started to feel that there
should be more to my life than going to college and living at home with my
parents. Was it time for me to move out
on my own? No, it was a bit deeper than
that. Then my Grandma Schaefer
introduced me to a woman who lived in the complex she lived in called, Lola
Masters. Lola was a retired
missionary. She was not affiliated with
any church or organization. She
independently traveled with all her belongings in her car from one Native
American tribe to another within the states of California, Oregon, and
Washington, staying two to three months or longer with each tribe. She told me God “called” her to do this. She would share with me many stories of how
God worked through in this endeavor. I
began to see that there was much more to life than going to college. I began to feel an urge to become a
missionary. I am sorry to say I did not
act on that urge until a number of years later, but when I did God richly blessed
me in everything I did and I have grown deeply ever since.
Are
you thinking right now that this is all and good for missionaries to get a call
from God to work for him (or for that matter, pastors, worship leaders, and
ministers)? You limit God when you think
that way. First of all Romans 1:6-7
tells us everyone is “called” and Romans 28:8 states, “And we know [with great confidence] that
God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a
plan] for good for those who love God, to
those who are called
according to His plan and
purpose.” Do you love God? Then you are called.
EQUIPPED
So
everyone is “called,” but to what? 2
Timothy 2:20-22 tells us that in a house there are honorable vessels (like your
mother’s good china) and dishonorable vessels (like the bathroom commode). In these verses Paul encourages us to become
the honorable vessels by cleansing ourselves from the things which are
dishonorable – disobedient and sinful, then we will be vessels of honor, “…sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master,
prepared for every good work…”
So, each one of us is called
to be set apart for a special purpose, useful to the Lord, and prepared for
the good work He calls us to. How are
we prepared? 1 Peter 3:15a says, “But in
your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place
in your lives] as Lord” When we
accept Jesus as our Savior we start on the path of being set apart with Him,
separating ourselves from our dishonorable, disobedient, and sinful
selves. As we do this He begins to work
through us to accomplish His good works.
The more we separate ourselves from our sin and disobedience, the more
He can accomplish His works through us and affect those around us. Being “set apart” is the first step of being
equipped for our calling.
Exodus
35:30-35; 36:1 tells us about how the Lord specifically called a man named
Bezalel and filled him with the Holy Spirit, with wisdom, skill, intelligence,
understanding, and knowledge in all areas of craftsmanship. The Lord also equipped him with the ability
to teach others these skills. Why? He was Equipped To build the Tabernacle
tent. If having the Tabernacle and all
its furniture, drapes, and utensils be made in specific beautiful ways how much
more would God equip us to reach out to those around us with the gospel and
draw them into the Kingdom?
Luke
24:49 says, “Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the
Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem]
until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.” So just as our Heavenly Father equipped
Bezalel by filling him with His Spirit He also equips us with the infilling of
the Holy Ghost. Not only does He fill us
with His Spirit, but He gives us His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that God’s Word is given for training in
righteousness so that we may be “complete
and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly
equipped for every good work.” If
you read Proverbs 31:17-18 and Ephesians 6 you will find some other ways our
Heavenly Father equips us.
ENABLED
Enabling is not the same as
equipping. I love to sing. I have been singing since I was two to three
years old. Of course back then I would
just sing out gibberish and I would not carry a specific tune. I was equipped with a singing voice. Now I can sing in English, in Spanish, and
even in Welsh. This ability did not come
naturally. I learned to follow melody
lines by copying how someone else sang it.
I found as I listened to someone sing I could find complimentary notes and
harmonize with them. My singing ability
went from being equipped with a voice to being enabled to sing a recognizable
tune. As we grow in our walk with the
Lord we go from being equipped with gifts and abilities to being enabled by the
Holy Ghost to use them.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus says that
we receive power from the Holy Ghost to tell people about Him and 1 John 2:20 states that we have an anointing
that makes us “specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit.” These two verses give us
an important point to remember. Who does
the calling, equipping, and enabling? It
does not come from our effort; it comes from the power of the Holy Spirit in
our lives. Jeremiah
10:23 says, “O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not
within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].”
Rev. George O. Wood once
said, “Empowerment to live as a Christian is like flying in a copilot’s
seat. As long as I don’t take the stick
or the throttle, but let Him do the piloting, it’s a good and safe trip.
So it pays to keep setting
yourself apart and studying the Word, this
allows God Himself to make the changes in you. Mark 4:24 shares, “Then
He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of
measurement [that is, to the extent that
you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you
[and you will be given even greater ability
to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.”
Most
of us know the story about how Jesus turned the water into wine. When we hear it we think of the miracle that
happened but I would like to point out to you a simple sentence His Mother
said, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” Jesus
revealed His glory in turning water into wine.
Jesus is still revealing His glory so that mankind can believe in
Him. He has chosen to do this through you, so fulfill your
calling, accept what He equips you with and move forward in your enablement.
When
I attended a church in Oregon years ago there were only five other
members, all of which were 75 yrs or older.
At our business meetings we would discuss inviting people to church and
visiting shut-ins. All these older
people used to say, “Let the younger ones do it.” The only younger ones were me and the Pastor
(both in our late 20’s). So you can
imagine this frustrated me to no end. I
use this example to urge you to grasp this concept: No matter what your age, if you are still
alive on this earth, you are still “called, equipped, and enabled!” Find out what God wants you to do…and “Whatever He says to you, DO IT!”
