Sunday 08:29:10

Pressing On Your High Calling What fills your heart with passion? The human spirit is built with a desire for significance and impact. Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. -Henry David Thoreau There is a yearning in the souls of men for meaning. God created us this way. Philippians 3:12-14 To Paul, his calling was something he followed after; chased. It did not strike him like lightning. It wasn’t handed to him on a silver platter from heaven. He had to press on to attain it. Calling must be actively pursued. “not that I have already taken hold of all this, but I press on” He hadn’t taken hold of it – When Philippians was written Paul had already taken three missionary journeys. The third he went all the way to Greece and Macedonia. Calling is a lifelong pursuit. You cannot tire of chasing after Christ and His purpose for you. You must press on and press in to Christ. It rarely comes all at one time. It comes step by step. Calling is unique. “for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Paul’s calling was specifically his. He saw a specific purpose that Jesus had for him. Your calling is yours. My calling is mine. God created us uniquely and calls us to unique work. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You must discover it for yourself. You cannot discover God’s purpose for you vicariously through someone else. You have to press on and pursue Christ on your own. The people you read and podcast are pursuing their own calling. They can help inspire you and teach you, but the pursuit of your calling belongs to you. Calling cannot be separated from relationship with Christ. “I want to know Christ.” Philippians 3:8 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ God is infinitely more interested in you than in what you can do for Him. Isaiah 43:6-7 – my people, created for my glory 6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." In case you’re thinking that Paul was a superstar Christian and that this only pertains to him, Philippians 3:15 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. God put a desire in mens’ hearts for meaning and significance and purpose. He will be the One to lead you into it. Tell God your desire for meaning in this life. Ask God for what purpose am I here?