I begin with a quote from John Ortberg:
"American society does not talk much about calling anymore. It is more likely to think in terms of career. Yet, for many people a career becomes the altar on which they sacrifice their lives.
A calling, which is something I do for God, is replaced by a career, which threatens to become my god. A career is something I choose for myself; a calling is something I receive. A career is something I do for myself; a calling is something I do for God. A career promises status, money or power; a calling generally promises difficulty and even some suffering - and the opportunity to be used by God. A career is about upward mobility; a calling generally lead to downward mobility."
I will add that a career is man chosen and often enslaves people - becoming the thing by which their life is defined. A calling is God given and releases us.
A career, like many things, can easily increase the busyness of our life that it can be hard to hear God's call. Are you fulfilling God's call in your life? Are you open to fulfilling God's call?
Many a calling has died on the altar of career
***Would love feedback***
Blessings,
Darren
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I see his point, but I think he is making a mountain out of mere semantics. Whether it's labeled a calling or a career, it must be submitted to God.
ReplyDeleteAt one time ministry was a calling and not a career.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are many ministries that appear to accomplish good and even great things, I can only be reminded of those that "Cry Lord , Lord" yet have missed the Kingdom of God.
A career has to have rewards or it will die, a calling will persist and even grow stronger through adversity or loss.
I for one will never again be deceived by the calling of man and the enslavement that the modern churchianity idealogy demands.
To abridge an analogy used by Paul, I would rather hear or speak one word originating from the Holy Spirit than ten thousand originating from the wisdom of men.
Jesus said that if We abide in Him and His words abide in us we shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. I have seen the truth and the truth has set me free. Anything that enslaves is not from Christ but man (or worse).
I see so many that are sincere and hungry, following the doctrines of men to and fro, enslaved to idealogies and traditions and unable to hear the crying out of the Holy Spirit because they have been filled with the teaching of men and the traditions of men, quench the Spirit of God.
John said that we would need no man to teach us but that the "annointing" of the Holy Spirit would teach us. So many are living in a world of human traditions and doctrines , enslaved, never free.
How can a man know God through the wisdom of men? How can a man enter the Kingdom of God unless God alone is King? Our Lord said we cannot enter unless we become as a little child, so many believe they cannot enter unless they follow a man and his wisdom.
Jesus said that we must first seek the Kingdom of God and the rest is taken care of. Men teach that we should take care of the rest and then we will be free to find the Kingdom of God.
Not many find freedom. Not many find the Kingdom of God that exists when walking in the Calling of God. Not many become free from the struggle of meeting the demands of human wisdom and can never see beyond into the freedom that lies beyond the bonds of men.
We should take no thought for our lives or the ideas of men as long as we acknowlege God in all things above and beyond the things of man.
A career is for men that seek the approval of other men. A calling is for those that seek the approval of God.
May the peace and wisdom of God guide you in all things. The times that lie in the near future are those that lead to the end of all things that we know. Our country, our planet , our lives will be tested beyond anything that has ever been. The Strong Delusion has a grip on the world and the church is grasping to be like the world. May God help us all.