From The Editor: Lean Into Your Calling
As Salvationists, we are strong believers in Calling. Often this is mentioned in the context of officership, but as Christians, we are all called. Called to something more, to something special. We are called to be leaders.
In 1 Peter 1:15, the apostle Peter writes, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” He goes on to reference the book of Leviticus, where God tells His people many times, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11, 19, 20, and 21). We are called by God to be holy. This means that we are called to be sacred, set apart, and dedicated for a purpose — for God’s purpose.
In living a holy, or morally and spiritually excellent life, we will automatically be different from the world. We look different, act differently, even the things we say and how they come across should be distinct from what may be considered “normal.” When something is different, we as humans tend to have one of two reactions: “that’s odd, I’m going to avoid that,” or “that’s interesting, I want to watch and learn more.” This is our chance. This is our opportunity to be leaders for those around us.
My parents taught us this concept from an early age. As pastor’s kids everyone was watching us closely, expecting us to make better choices than our peers. Unfortunately, sometimes they were anticipating, even hoping, that we would fail, proving to be just as sinful as those around us. Which we all did because we’re human. But our failures should simply give us more opportunities to model repentance and asking forgiveness, chances to show humility and how to still have self-confidence in the wake of mistakes.
If this sounds like hard work, that’s because sometimes it is. Learning to lean into God for decision- making takes some getting used to. But if we stay deeply rooted in the Word and are intentional in our personal relationship with Him, we naturally begin to want what He wants and do what He expects of us.
We need to invest in time of self-discipling — reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, listening to biblical teachings, participating in small group Bible study. This is how we develop our life of holiness, how we develop this type of leadership. This is how we lean into our calling to be holy disciples of a living God. Everything else — how to use our skills and talents, ministry involvement, maybe even feeling led to a life of service as a Salvation Army officer — will flow from a life firmly rooted in relationship with our holy, generous, and loving Father. That’s a relationship worth pursuing and a life worth living.