I know, I know, baseball is “America’s sport”. But, there’s gotta be a deeper reason why 40 MILLION people tuned in to see humans hit a ball and run around three bases on a baseball field just to see them reach the ultimate goal of sliding into home. Deep down, I believe every person wants to live out what they are made to do, their calling. Thriving in our calling is such a joy! I love living God’s calling on my life of being a husband, dad, a pioneering leader of Mobilize Ministries™ and a writer to bless YOU. Here are three bases YOU can run and grand slam YOUR calling:
1. Bow.
On his way to work, Peter thought it would be just another workday fishing. He and his co-workers worked all night and morning and caught no fish! Then Jesus showed up. Jesus supernaturally blessed Peter’s work and Peter caught so many fish that his boat started to sink. “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you (Luke 5:8 NLT).” Peter humbled himself and bowed before the only one with the power to ignite and purpose Peter’s calling. [tweetable author=”@toddlollar”] Like Peter, when we bow before the Lord, He propels our calling. Peter, himself, explains this well: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time (1 Peter 5:6).” Bow before Jesus. He will mobilize you into your calling at “the proper time”. [/tweetable]
2. Bask.
A huge part of Jesus’ ministry of making disciples out of twelve ordinary guys was simply “being with” them. Luke 9:1 depicts this vividly: “He went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him (Jesus).” Simply, Peter basking in God’s presence, being with Jesus, gave Peter all the accreditation Peter needed to thrive in His calling. In fact, people who saw Peter’s life even noticed this: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).” At the end of Jesus’ historical life on earth after Peter basked for years in Jesus’ presence, God commissioned Peter in his personal calling that not only purposed his own life but is one that actually blessed YOUR life and is why the Gospel spread so you and I could hear and be saved: “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” These commissioning words to Peter from Jesus changed Peter’s life and the course of the world. How does it feel that you can start your day having breakfast with Jesus basking in His wonderful presence?
3. Bless!
Do you understand your motivations to want to thrive in your calling? This is important. As a leader, I hear a plethora of tidbits on platform building. But is the goal of thriving in our calling merely to have a platform to be heard? This can easily pervert our original God-given desire to walk in our calling. A platform is a mere result of thriving in our calling just like success is a mere product of giving Christ our excellence. Living out our God-given calling is ALWAYS to bless! God’s calling on your life is purposed to bless God and to bless people. We see this in Peter’s life: “But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:6-8 ESV).’”
- How do you humble yourself before Jesus and bask in His presence?
- What are other ways that God has led you to grand slam your calling?
- What does your time with Jesus bowing before Him and basking in His presence look like?
Comment below.