Tuesday, January 12, 2010

What do you think God wants you to do with your life?

 

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,2and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.(Matthew 4:18-22)

It is not likely that Jesus is going to call us as directly and dramatically as he called Peter and Andrew, James and John, saying face to face: "Come, follow me." But God does call us. God knows us best. He created us, and gifted us with a unique soul and unique personality. There never was and never will be anyone quite like you or me. Just as we have unique fingerprints, we have also a unique soul. What does God want you to do with your life?

Each baptized Christian has two vocations: a general and specific vocation. Our general vocation consists in having Christ live in us and through us. We are called Christian. Even if a complete stranger meets us, that person should be able to identify us by our dress, manners, words and deeds as a Christian. When a stranger enters your home, are there things that indicate that this is a Christian home? Is there a Bible on a table? Is there a picture of Jesus?

By appearance, are you a Christian by wearing a cross? By your words, are you Christian: praising God, not using God’s name in vain? By your deeds, are you Christian by doing good and avoiding evil, by making sacrifices to do good things for other people, in imitation of Jesus?

When you do good things and help people, do you feel so good deep down that you can do this everyday of your life? All people young and old ask the question: "God what do you want me to do with my life?

After you ask the question, pray quietly, and frequently. Watch and listen. What do other people say to you? Do they compliment you on sharing, on helping, on sacrificing, on your level of responsibility? If they do, excellent, give thanks to God. If people do not say these things to you, why not? If someone likes you, that is excellent; that is how God made us. More importantly, why do they like you? Is it because you have lots of money; or because you treat people well, you listen, you help, you are mature in loving God and other people..

Most importantly, ask God quietly and frequently, "God, what do you want me to do with my life?" God knows you best. He created you, uniquely. It is not likely that Jesus is going to walk up to you like the four apostles and say directly, "Come, follow me." Instead, God will guide you through prayer and experiences. Pray quietly, pray often, "God, what do you want me to do with my life?"

What do you think God wants you to do?

Are you already doing it? If so, how do you know? If not, how are you going to do it?

Take quiet time to listen to God.  Since we cannot expect him to come up to us, tap us on the shoulder, and give us the directions of the day, we must sit and rest in God in quiet.  Talk to God, and then listen to what he wants to say to you.  A thought may come to you, a message may come from a Scripture passage or from a prayer that you speak.  What God wants of you will not be complicated, and will not require a great deal of education.  Whatever God wants you to do, he will give you the strength and talent to do it.  Just ask him!

Peace and love to all of you,

Sue






"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)

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