God’s call on our lives is individual and yet is bound to
others. Our service to God intersects with our service to one another. When God
calls us, it isn’t just for our good—it’s for the good of all.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.”
1 Corinthians 12 goes on to list many gifts God gives individuals for ministry. He is still calling individuals today to serve Him by serving others.
The ministry to which God calls us may not look like the ministry of our neighbor or our friend or our pastor. We are not all prophets or healers or interpreters or teachers or nursery workers or builders, but every Christian IS called.
God’s call is also fluid and relevant. We need to be open to His leading for today. What He has called us to in the past, may not be what He is calling us to now. As our life stage changes, as we mature in our walk with Jesus, God’s call changes.
Following retirement, I have been seeking God’s leading for this stage of my life. It is a process, sometimes of trial and reassessment. Currently, I feel God is calling me to encourage older adults—active retirees who still want to serve, the homebound who feel left out, the elderly who are hospitalized and frightened. I want to see older adults who, though they may no longer have physical strength, have great insight and experience, connect with younger adults, who are physically strong but need wisdom and guidance beyond their years. And it starts right in my own neighborhood.
How is God calling you to serve today? Is it changing? Pray for wisdom and listen as God speaks to your heart.
Be encouraged!