You Are Called: Discover Your God-Given Gifts To Fulfill Your Purpose
Day Three: Wed Oct 15
Good morning readers. Before we leave the dock today, we need to clarify some ground rules and review the understanding of our engaging. All of these posts are taken 99% verbatim from the book. Today this section of Chapter One is appropriately titled, a Paradigm Shift. Why, because I’m thinking a few of you possibly took offense of the $555 million sale mentioned in yesterday’s post. Those dollar figures did not sit well with me either, and especially so, when they are examples in a spiritual scenario like this. However, folks, the bottom line here I believe, is this simple fact. It is a true account! Just like Ananias & Sapphira in Acts 5. Remember them? Perhaps, if you had trouble with that account, you will here too. As always, everything said or implied in this blog, is written to me, first & foremost, to the best of my abilities.
We all must continually be on guard to avoid molding our pettiness, and judgmentalism into the facts of His Stories! I invite you to walk this journey with me. I’m counting that the truths in this book will circle the wagons around our family’s festive tables during the upcoming holidays, such that my goofy subtitle, “A Real-Deal Spiritual Analysis & Catalyst Stimulus Package,” does get off the ground, possibly even activating our being RETOOLED, such that we inwardly and outwardly, begin to THRIVE! If so accomplished, be thankful, give God His Glory, enjoy the memories. Our futures soon will be so different, prompting the question, is our christian attitude, or our propensity for material entitlement, sinful?
A PARADIGM SHIFT:
If you question your purpose or have similar thoughts, I’m so happy you’re either listening to, or reading this introduction. It is my sincere hope that your paradigm will also shift. As with Stan, be honest with yourself. Doing so will help you connect your dots. In this posture of humility, you’ll discover and then, firmly believe in, multiplying your unique gifts for building the kingdom.
This concept of multiplying is one we will explore in depth as we go along. You’re just as called by God as your pastor or anyone else. Your calling is just as legitimate as the late Billy Graham, or of any well-known kingdom-building/leadership participants today of today, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (shepherds), teachers, in whatever specific vocational roles or skill-sets you’ve been so entrusted. Think for a moment, about how fully you can embrace this statement. “I’m just as called by God as anyone else on earth…” Which of the following responses best reflects your present belief and honest mindset about this?
- I can clearly recognize that some people are more called by God than I am.
- I want to believe that I am just as called by God as anyone else, but I’m not there yet.
- Yes, I mentally accept that I am called by God but my heart doesn’t really feel it.
- Yes, in my mind and heart, I believe I’m just as called by God as anyone else.
Write your different response if you have one, on a piece of paper. If you struggle to believe that you’re just as called by God as anyone else, what can you identify as the root reason for your resistance to this? Here, as with all the reflection sections in the book, you’re invited to use paper to jot down your responses. I’d actually begin with a notebook, maybe a journal, and then put these thoughts down and also make these thoughts into prayers or questions that you can ask yourself as time goes by. In this guidebook we’ll explore how to discover, develop and most importantly, multiply your gifts to enhance your specific calling. The Word of God and the stories contained in this book will build your faith to greatly increase your effectiveness. I know this first hand as it happened with me as I was creating this book, Born On Purpose, For A Purpose.
Bottom Line:
FYI, I liken a paradigm shift to an earthquake under your home or farm. The coming spiritual & cultural paradigm shifts will be more devastating than the earthquakes. My advice. Embrace the teachings of Jesus. RETOOL as He instructs. THRIVE thru the Final Eternal Gathering. Claim your rewards. Enter your mansion. Enjoy Eternity. All not easily comprehensible with earthly minds.
To Be Continued.