Activated Calling Follow It’s not enough to be born with a gift or ability. Until there is an environment for its discovery and development it may remain dormant and ineffective. However, even when found and honed to a high level, its true purpose and meaning, beyond an impressive performance and personal benefit, will require character and discipline. This will come from time spent with a master who will mentor this inner development. Once the gift is making an impact, there will be an opportunity to influence others for a purpose far greater than notoriety. The true calling of a cultivated ability will be in how it serves others by inspiring and leading them to their own fulfilled purpose. The One who formed us with a unique design and gifting has called us, first of all, to simply come into His presence, the environment where this ability can be uncovered apart from corrupting influence. He also welcomes us to not just come for a visit but to actually abide, where His voice and His presence can provide our gifting with Godly character, taking on the very nature of His children. It is then, though, that we are called to follow Him into a life of selfless discipline, where who He’s made us to be is given significance in the lives that are shown His goodness through our activated calling. It’s through the making of His disciples that our call is truly lived out and fulfilled. Notes From Christ’s victory, we’ve each received gifts Ephesians 4:5-7 (NLT) 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. The purpose of our gift – building the church Ephesians 4:12-13 (NLT) 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Our call is never withdrawn – always ready for activation Romans 11:29 (TLB) 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises. To follow is to release our doing into His purpose Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Following Jesus: Was only serving one purpose – the kingdom. Matthew 20:28 Gave Himself completely – mind, soul, and spirit to fulfill the Father’s heart of love. Fully developed and released His gifts for this purpose – Miracles, healing, discernment, communication Was faithful to lay down His own notoriety to establish the church. Belief in the Father’s plan to the exclusion of any other – to the end. Fully activated everything in Him for an eternal calling. Letting go of me for Thee 1 Peter 2:21 (NKJV) 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who is established in What is done? Mark 10:21 (NLT) 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When we follow – our calling is activated for God’s triumph and glory! 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT) 14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Overview: From Christ’s victory, we’ve been given gifts that will never be withdrawn. By answering Jesus’ call to come and abide in Him we are transformed to enable these gifts. It’s in following Him that what we do with those gifts is released into His kingdom purpose. He is always leading us in His triumph to spread our knowing Him through our activated calling. Prayer: Father, I’m so grateful for the gifts I’ve been given in Christ to effectively serve the body. Fill me now with your heart and passion to activate my calling for your glory, and help me to be free of motives that would divert and inhibit.