SCRIPTURE:
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
OBSERVATION:
Your life has purpose, and you have a calling. But how do you actually complete that calling?
This is a question I remember asking myself early on in my walk with Christ and again in my early adult years. “How do I complete my calling?” I knew what God called me to do, and I understood what His purpose was for my life, but I had no clue how to actually get it done. What do I need to do to fulfill God’s calling?
The apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians––and He reminds you today––that you are not the one who is going to complete your calling. It’s not your job to do that. As it is written in verse 26, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” God is faithful and He will complete your calling. He, not you, is the one who will sanctify you, shape you, grow you, and build your Spirit.
Does this mean you’re completely off the hook? No––you have a role in this too, but it’s not what you might think. Your job is simply to be faithful to God and obedient to His direction. Not to strategize, not to do it, not to make it happen––just faithfulness and obedience. How? Paul tells us earlier in verses 12 through 22––by gratitude toward others, living peacefully, encouraging those around you, helping the weak, being patient, striving for righteousness, rejoicing, praying, giving thanks, rejecting evil, and not quenching the Spirit. Don’t be intimidated by this list––all these can be summed up simply by two words: faithfulness and obedience.
APPLICATION:
Today, remember that you are called and take comfort in the fact that it’s not your job to get it done––it’s God’s! He who has called you––no matter how big or how small that calling may seem––is faithful and He will do it. Let go of trying to control your future. Stop striving so hard. Instead, simply surrender to His will, His way, and in His timing. Choose to be faithful and obedient. After all, it’s not your job to complete your calling––it’s God’s.
PRAYER:
God,
You are faithful! Thank You for calling me and for giving my life purpose. Today, I surrender my calling to You. I trade my plans, my ways, and my timing for yours. For You, who has called me, are faithful, and I know You will do it. It’s not about me; it’s all about You. I love You and I trust You; may Your will be done.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
