January 17

 ‘But when it pleased God…to reveal His Son to me that I might preach Him.’ – Galatians 1:15-16
God’s calling is not by nature a call to any particular service. God calls us to know Him and to be still and listen to His will, accepting that it supersedes our own. Once we have accepted this basic call, the result becomes an expression of our love for Him.
Our love for God, having grown through prayer, meditation, and faith, leads us to action on His behalf. We express our love through any variety of service, using the unique gifts that God has nurtured in us. Our service to God becomes service to our fellow Man and it is in this way that we are able to preach to those around us.
We preach less with words than with action. The witness of Christ’s love, radiant in us through all aspects of our daily life is the most effective service we can give to Him. Thus, a calling is not limited to an order of clergy. We serve God as cashiers, doctors, nurses, secretaries, actuaries, chefs, managers, and financial planners etc.
Human nature is predisposed to service and production. These activities, even to the secular minded provide a strengthening sense of self worth. However, salvation is not earned. We cannot work our way to Heaven through good deeds. Instead we must accept that no matter what we do, we are destitute in comparison to God.
Humble yourself before God. Be still and listen. Serve Him in whichever way you feel He has called you.