Cast out and find your gift

We often search deeply within to hear God’s calling — when we might see Him working clearly through everyday things, writes Eric Gaudion

The calling of Simon Peter, together with his fishing business partners James and John, is remarkable for the impact that it had on them, and then subsequently upon the whole church of Christ.

These humble fisher-folk had no idea of the immense effect they would have on world history. They hoped for something to fill their dinner plates, but God had planned their destiny with a much bigger catch in mind. “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men,” said Jesus, scarily commissioning this team of uneducated fishermen to head up his global mission (Luke 5:10).

But Jesus did call them, and the rest, as they say, is history. In essence, a sense of calling in the Christian life is a powerful motivation that shapes a believer’s identity, actions, and relationships. It helps us to live out our faith in tangible ways, with a deep awareness that we are part of something larger than ourselves. It’s not about personal ambition, nor our own career options, but about fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives in ways that glorify him.

At this year’s Elim Leadership Summit at Harrogate a great deal of attention was given to the place and importance of what are often called Christ’s ascension gifts to the church, found in Ephesians 4. These include the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, all of whom are set in the church to equip and prepare God’s people for works of service, “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Finding out our calling and how we fit into the purposes of God for us can be an important aspect of serving God effectively.

So how do we hear or discover the call of God? Certainly, for the trio of fishermen in Luke 5 they were just going about their everyday lives when the Lord drew near and spoke to them. He began with a personal challenge: “Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” This calling from Jesus began with an opportunity for these young men to trust the Lord and see him work in their everyday world. It was not primarily about mass evangelisation; it was about fishing.

Sometimes we search deeply within to hear the call of God when we might see him working more clearly through ordinary everyday things. Being faithful with where we are now and what God has already given us, can lead on to new things. As God said to Moses in Exodus 4 when he called him to leadership in Israel, “What is that in your hand?”, referring to his shepherd’s staff. It was the everyday piece of working gear that he owned that was going to be used in the shaping of Moses’ calling. What he was already became a big part of what God was calling him to be.

When the fishing trio realised the enormous catch of fish they had taken in obedience to the command of Christ, they were astonished. Peter immediately confessed his inadequacy, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). This humble sense of personal unworthiness became the posture from which the Lord raised him. And it is the position from which God can use each one of us.

Aware of our own inadequacy and astonished at God’s power, we can begin the journey that leads to a life of purpose and fulfilment. From this place of honest confession, Jesus took these young men and revealed to them their future. Immediately they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything and followed him. Wow! That’s some calling!

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.