Focus on Your Calling

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17

After many grueling months, I finally finished the book of Jeremiah. I feel like I just left the battlefield. For me, it was exhausting but definitely worth it. As I was looking for the next book I’m going to study, EIKON, the young adult ministry from Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, started on the first book of Corinthians. In an ode to them and what they’ve done for me, I decided to follow suit and thank God I did. I could already feel this is going to be one heck of a study.. in a good way.

Before I delve into the verse, allow me this little paragraph to shamelessly plug EIKON. I’ve been going for about a year now and it has been more than an hour and a half service time for me. It literally is my midweek pit stop. I remember weeks when it was all I looked forward to. I didn’t mind the drive from Miami (around 50 minutes) or brave the crazy drivers in I-95 just to get there on time. I kept my sanity during my darkest days because of the messages I hear from this ministry. Pastor Billy Venezia and the EIKON team are doing amazing work in God’s kingdom for the 18-33 year old set. This is something I will surely miss when I leave town next month.

Going back, I jumped head first into 1 Corinthians 1 and this verse struck me:

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

You’ll find here that Paul knew exactly what his calling was – to preach the Gospel. And not even something as good as baptizing people for the kingdom of God will he indulge in because he wanted to stay focused. In our crazy busy lives, we often find ourselves being pulled in different directions – family, job, social life and ministry life. Some people have established routines in juggling these balls; they’ve got a good rhythm going. I mean, they make time for family, go to church on Sundays, serve in various ministries, etc. To those who have done so, ask yourselves.. are you being effective in the thing that God has called you to do or are you just being busy? Doing work doesn’t necessarily equal to being effective or productive. I know.. I’ve been at that time. I was serving in STYLE (our church young adult ministry) while working on some Sundays with the main service prod crew. And while I was happy and willing to do so, I felt God was tugging me to church communications. On top of everything else, I was working full time with a very active social life. At the end of the week, I would always feel burnt out. It wasn’t until STYLE was put on hold and I started really taking this church comm seriously that I realized this should be my priority.

Don’t get me wrong, volunteering and serving in various ministries is not bad. But “not bad” can be a hindrance to the best that God has really called you to do. I firmly believe that each one (and yes I mean YOU) have something unique to offer to God’s kingdom; something that no one else ever could. What is He calling you out to do? If you still haven’t found out, be patient and keep searching. Trust me, He will reveal it to you. And for those who do know their calling, what can you do to ensure that you’re not going to veer away from that calling? Oftentimes you have to give up the good in order to follow God’s best path for you. Identify what can affect your cause the most and stay away from them. Remember, you can never build a well by digging your shovel in different spots on the ground.