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Devotional

The Beginning of “Sacred Calling”

by COLETTE CORREA CALLING Identity in Christ Purpose Reflecting God
The Beginning of “Sacred Calling”
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9

Twelve years ago, I prided myself in making a big career move by transitioning into full-time ministry. I had enjoyed my job in the insurance industry and the time I had spent there bearing witness to Jesus, but I had sensed that to have a greater impact I needed to move from the “secular” (i.e. regular life, regular job) to the “sacred” (i.e. ministry, mission). I served in full-time ministry domestically for three years, and then I left for my international field of service, however, I would come to realize later that the way I was thinking about the secular vs. the sacred was erroneous.


I must have read 1 Peter 2:9 hundreds of times over the years, but one afternoon while on furlough, when I was meticulously reading that passage my eyes were opened to the time I had been “called”. The passage read: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”—a passage that was about calling, identity and purpose.


Being “called" is an invitation. In fact, in John 6:44, Jesus explains that no one can come to Him unless the Father who sent Him draws him. In the Greek, the word “called” is kletos which is closely related to the word for “church” which is ekklesia. So as members of the church, we are a body of “called ones”, invited to leave darkness for light. What a beautiful picture that is!


Being called is one thing, but there must be a response to the invitation, so we may transition from being satan’s own sinful, wretched, disregarded slaves to becoming God’s own, holy, royal, chosen people—receiving our new identity. However, accepting the invitation is crucial so we may receive the highest calling of all—proclaiming Him and His mighty acts—this is our purpose.


Either I am a teacher in a public school (which I would have previously labeled as “a secular job”) or a teacher in Lebanon teaching Syrian refugees (which I would have labeled ministerial or sacred), it does not matter. The moment we accept God’s call to leave darkness into His marvelous light through Christ Jesus, we enter into the sacred. Our call to proclaim Him and His mighty acts start right there and then, wherever He places us. If we, Christian believers, do not see our work (as a maid, as a mom, as a dad, as a factory worker, as a teacher, as a politician, as a lifeguard, as a doctor, as a nurse, as a claim adjuster, as a janitor, as a translator, as a dog-walker, as a baker . . . etc.) mattering for eternity, we will think we are just working a job, earning a living. If our mindset is not changed in understanding that wherever the Lord has placed us is a place for us to glorify and proclaim Him, we will be deceived in thinking that only a transition from “secular” to “sacred” will bring Him glory. The moment we accept His invitation to come out of darkness into His marvelous light we have just stepped into the sacred! 


Closing Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for the call, the new identity and the purpose in my life. What a privilege being part of the sacred. I pray that through Your Holy Spirit I remain rooted in Your word in remaining aligned this high calling wherever I am and whatever I do. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.
Resources
Book: Called: Hearing and Responding to God's Voice by Susan Robb This book looks at the lives of ordinary men and women, called and empowered to lives of service they could never have imagined. This book will help you discover and hear the call that God has on your life.
Question for Reflection

How can I make a difference right where I am planted?

Comments
Colette Correa
November 17, 2022

I do three things to make a difference right where I am planted. I spend time with people, I encourage them, and I gift them with something that can draw them near to God. I love to spend quality time with people to listen to their stories. The more you spend time with people, the closer you become. If they need encouragement, I am always very eager to encourage them. It comes quite easy for me because it is one of my spiritual gifts. Also, because I am also very missional, I love to leave some literature (i.e., tracks, Bibles …) with people. If I see that they are open to being connected to social media, I invite them to listen to my podcast which is dedicated to inspire and encourage people to experience a deeper intimacy with God and to be transformed by His word in their everyday life.