General and Purposeful Calling to Lead

Primary Reading: 1 Peter 2 9-10; 21

Additional Readings: 1 Peter 1:15, 3:9, 4:10, and 5:10; Romans 12:6-8, Acts 9: 3-6

1 Peter 2: 9 – 10, & 21 (NIV)

9But 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. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Leaders often seek the opportunity to define themselves.  Many attempt to serve fleshly or worldly pursuits.  Although they may seem successful, fulfilled, and content, it is not long before leaders like this find themselves feeling empty.  They have chased worldly endeavors according to their own need.  These leaders often fail to recognize that every leader within the body of Christ has been certain spiritual gifts given to each of us from God so that we are equipped, ready, and able to do His will on earth as it is in heaven.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 (NIV))

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12: 6-8 (NIV))

We are all members of the body of Christ.  Each of us has a different role to play.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Corinthians 12: 4-5 (NIV))

Recognizing the different gifts that we each have we must recognize that God’s call to leadership is twofold.  His first call is general. Anyone who responds to God’s call is considered called or chosen.  1 Peter 2: 9-10 calls generally on the community to speak about and God’s mighty acts.  God calls all believers to proclaim the Gospel and serve their neighbors so that others come to know and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

The second call referred to in these passages is a more specific call.  This call recognizes and engages your spiritual gifts that God anointed you with.  Acts 9: 3-6 explains Paul’s conversion and describes how Paul was prepared to begin his service as an apostle.  Paul’s specific call was revealed when he followed God’s instructions to go into the city.  Your specific calling will be confirmed by an inward witness of the heart and an outward sign by the body of Christ. When Paul received his specific new calling his sight was restored.  When your calling and vocation are in alignment with God’s will there is an incredible sense of rightness and wholeness with your spirit and identity.  “We were created for God, and only through God can we truly know who we are” (Fehr, December 12, 2013, http://afehrlife.blogspot.com/2013/12/personality.html).    

My own calling is to serve others as an educator and leader.  The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:9 that those called will have a blessing.  In this space I have found these blessings.  I have had the opportunity to teach in formal classroom settings on college campuses, in workshop settings at professional conferences, and finally I had served for several years as a Bible study leader.  When my gifts, calling, and strengths are in alignment with God’s will I have found that I am blessed and well equipped to complete the task before me.  I recently facilitated a student leader workshop where we examined Psalm 15 for examples of serving as leaders of integrity.  Although I have been making presentations and teachings for years I had felt during the teaching of this topic the most nervous I had ever felt.  Although I was nervous during the session in talking with the students following the session they got the core topic of being leaders of integrity.  Written evaluations of the session revealed further that the message was received.

For leaders, Jesus Chris is the perfect role model of how to serve others as a leader.  For no other leader is as perfect a role model as Jesus Christ.  When we do His will as leaders there is no telling what His plan for your service will be.  Let go and let God.


Enjoy the following Worship Songs
Song "Creed"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-61MaWETiU

Song "10,000 Reasons"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ

Song "Love Take me Over"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8DiZhNVu1I