Seems odd that a series about finding our calling should be titled fear. But a lot of things about Warehouse seem odd to me at first, until I realize that what I thought might have been my real issue, turned out to be only my dressed-up excuse.

Excuses
When I think about all those things that are supposed to inform me about what I’m called to do with my life — my talents, my passions, the kind of person I am, and the experience I’ve gathered over the years — I have to wonder what’s holding me back from actually doing it. Often I think I just don’t have the talent or the knowledge to pull it off. There are so many others who excel far more in these areas. For instance, look at all the musicians, artists, contractors and teachers at Warehouse. What do I have to offer at a place so loaded with talent? Besides, as a Christian, shouldn’t I practice the humility of hanging back out of the spotlight? But this same attitude of mine tends to hold me back at the office too, where I am surrounded by bright, skilled, and dedicated people. And in the community around me, if I’m to help those less fortunate, how soon will it be before my good intentions begin to fade and reveal me as a mere do-gooder? Better to stick to doing what I know, and what I have time for, and to venture only what I can afford to lose. I don’t want to set myself up to fail. And I don’t want others to see me make a fool of myself.

If you’ve ever explored the Old Testament Bible, you may have noticed many people making fools of themselves. At times the stories seem to read almost like parodies, with characters that don’t seem to have a clue. But as you consider the situations described, you also may begin to notice people acting in a way you yourself might, given the circumstances. The passage about Moses found in Exodus chapters 3 and 4*, referred to this past Sunday, is a good example. God, who is not all that well known at this point in history, speaks to Moses from some burning shrubbery and tells him to leave home and single-handedly rescue about a million people out of slavery from the most powerful nation of the time. Yeah, I’ll get right on that. Despite all the assurances God offers him, Moses tries desperately to weenie his way out of the job, using any excuse he can. That doesn’t surprise me. It’s human nature and I’m personally very acquainted with it. What amazes me is the God-nature. The Lord shows such patience with Moses, listening to and providing answers for each of his increasingly lame excuses, and even bringing in an assistant where Moses complained his own skills most lacked.

Protection
God knows and understands our weaknesses, but He still calls us to do great things: things that can stretch us to our limits, crush our pride, and require us to venture into situations that make us seriously uncomfortable. He’s done it Himself, remember? Read about Jesus following His call to die on a cross on our behalf to see an example of all of the above. Because God understands from experience, He provides for us what our deepest (and perhaps unexplored) fears crave: protection. Our strongest instincts tell us we need to know that we are adequately protected before we can venture out to take a risk. So when we read that “We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are told this only after we are assured that God has saved us by His gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). Knowing that God has our backs, forever, gives us a place to draw from when we consider taking on what tasks He may be calling us to today (Consider also Hebrews 13:20-21).

Calling in Community
For many of us, the example of Moses and the monumental task set before him might seem a bit hard to relate to. That’s good, because while there is so much to learn from the story of Moses, his situation is certainly not the norm. The New Testament portion of the Bible shows God’s people in the context of the community known as the church. Each church is described in 1 Corinthians 12 as being made up of a body of individuals, each with their own gifts and callings, all working together interdependently. To the extent that one member of that body follows their calling and uses their gifts, the entire body benefits, as does the city and the world around it. If one part suffers or neglects their calling, every part suffers with it. As God intends our gifts to be used in community, so also is our calling more clearly heard within that same context. To the extent that we are “plugged in” to the church and actively participate, our calling will be all the more apparent to us, and also to those around us. The church is central to God’s work in His people. Not only does this community exist to help each of us recognize our individual calling, but as each of its members honors the promises they make to be there for one another, that community will help protect, heal, empower, and finally send each of us into our calling fully. This is part of the calling of the church itself, the role God has given to the Body of Christ.

Questions for discussion:
1.) Consider and discuss your talents, interests, experiences, and the type of person you are. What would it seem you might be called to do? How does that calling work as a ministry to the church and the world?
2.) What challenges did Jesus face as he followed his calling?
3.) Read 1 Corinthians 12. How does this picture describe your church? In what ways can your church model it more fully?

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*Note: If you wish, you can look up this and other Bible passages online at YouVersion.com
Copyright © 2010 Blair Israel