Nice to meet you

Have you ever noticed the way Paul introduces himself in his letters? In 2 Corinthians his introduction reads, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…” I’m one of those people who often thinks of his calling in life. What am I called to do, to be, to know, to think? Paul seemed to know exactly why he was put on this earth. He knew that by God’s will he was called as an apostle of Christ Jesus. Do you know your calling?  Not just your gifts, skills or talents… but your calling?

Compare Paul’s 2 Corinthians statement with one he makes about himself in Galatians 1:15, “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace…” Just when we’re ready to throw out our past and think, “the old is gone, the new has come!” Paul reminds us that our past – however difficult it may have been – is part of God’s will for our lives. Paul’s past was filled with dirt-like pride, murder, and legalism, but he recognized that God had set him apart from birth and that his calling into the Kingdom was secured even before he was met by Christ dramatically on the Damascus road.

How we introduce ourselves says a lot about what we think is important in life. “What do you do?” we might ask at a party, hoping that a person’s vocation tells us something about him or her. How do you think you would respond if someone answered your question describing who they are instead of what they do? Try this one on for size. You and I meet for the first time and I say, “Hi, I’m Anthony, called by God to equip people for ministry, chosen before time to teach the Bible and send men and women into the world to make a difference… in order that they become more like Christ!”

Let’s be people who live a purpose-filled, calling-filled, eternally-secured life in Christ. Consider who God has made you to be. Consider your calling. Consider thinking of yourself in terms of who you are… and not just what you do.

May God shower many blessings upon you this week,

Pastor Anthony

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