Called To Make It Work

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:9, NLT)

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20, NLT)

I was an interior designer before God called me into ministry. At the beginning of every design project, I would meet with my client to determine how to design a beautiful interior space for them. I would arrive to the meeting armed with batches of fabric swatches, paint samples, and with my beloved tape measure. By the end of our meeting, my client would usually say something like, “Tracy, here is our budget, so just make it work.”

My clients were not concerned about the cost negotiating I did to get the couch or carpet they wanted to fit within their budget. They did not care about the required building egress routes or fire safety codes. It was my job to know the building codes and if their new commercial space adhered to them.

My job was to make it work and so I did.

In a more perfect and divine way, Jesus Christ is our Master Designer. He has created our world and all of human history per His own set of divine codes and blueprints. According to Colossians 1, Jesus is “just making it all work” despite the evil and sin that we, as humans, introduced into His grand design. Does He really need you or me to help Him do so? Of course not!

But because of His grace, Jesus invites us to accept the call of joining Him in the greatest renovation project in human history.

His invitation to do so is not new or unique to us as women today. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called a group of ordinary men to cease fishing for seafood and to join Him in fishing for men. After deciding to follow Jesus, the men learned about their calling in God’s Kingdom. They learned how to “just make it work” via the power of the Holy Spirit by making more disciples of Jesus and by baptizing them in His name. This was the divine call on their lives two thousand years ago. It remains the call of God for every disciple of Jesus alive today.

Are you heeding God’s call on your life to do the same?

If not, receive the biblical truth that you are called by Jesus no matter your age or stage of life.

To be called means to be set aside by God for holy purposes. Every follower of Jesus that has put their faith in Him for their salvation receives a call of God. This means we are chosen to go and make disciples of Jesus and are called to carry out the good works He has planned for us to do.

You can discover God’s call in your life through prayer, tools like a spiritual gifts test, and by studying and obeying what the Bible teaches. Over time, God will confirm His call on your life through fruitful results or through a sense of joy, strength, or peace whenever you serve Him and others in a specific area of service. He also confirms through the godly affirmation of others who believe in and love Him too.

Be encouraged—even if you feel confused over which figurative paint swatch to use. Or if you are wondering if a metaphorical table is going to fit in a certain room of your life. Trust Jesus. Give Him control of the tape measure you refuse to put down. He will “just make it work” for your good and for His glory; enabling you to do the same as you walk out your beautiful calling with Him.

Reflect:

Do you see yourself as called by God? Why or why not? What is something God is calling you to do? How can you begin to do the good work He is asking you to do or continue to persevere in your calling this week?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, confirm the call You have on my life. Please strengthen my heart and give me courage and peace as I walk out my calling. Help me trust You, Jesus. May my life glorify You, God, and expand Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.