Life Plans Are Good

First of all, I do not want anyone to think I believe life plans are bad! I have one myself that I tweak and clarify every year. I have written a great deal about being intentional in living out or lives for eternal impact. A solid life plan can be a great tool in this process.

Second, I want to be clear that I do believe God has gifted each of us in specific ways. His purpose in doing this is to place each of us in a specific role in the body of Christ. Every one of us has a role to play in His story and this role should be everything to us!

Our Calling Is Not A Snapshot

The problem comes in when we begin to think that our role in His story, our “calling”, is either a snapshot in time or some future job we will have. Let me explain this because I think it is a REALLY big deal!

God has gifted me is several areas and it is my “calling” to use these to bring glory to Him. I am to use these talents in a way that has the most eternal impact possible. I think these are statements that most of you will accept. You likely agree with me on this.

However, if I start to think about exactly HOW I could use these talents, my imagination can get pretty wild! This is not at all a bad thing, but a problem can arise.

Biding My Time?

Assume I begin to think about how I can use my talent for speaking and writing. I then brainstorm about the different types of jobs and opportunities that could best use these talents. Ideas begin to pop into my head about some grand possibilities and I start working toward making those possibilities a reality.

In the meantime, I feel like I am biding my time until these opportunities become a reality. Perhaps, I even get frustrated with the time it is taking to actually experience these possibilities. I keep asking God why nothing seems to be happening. I even begin to question my “calling” altogether!

The problem in this scenario is that my calling is not limited to some future possibility. It is not “on hold” until the stars can align and my 15 minutes of fame is a reality.

Our Calling Is Right Now!

No, my calling is RIGHT NOW! My calling is to use my talents and gifts right now to bring all the glory to God that I am capable of, at this point in time. Sure, that may only be a small amount today, but at least it is something!

Rather than getting so focused on a future calling that could be magnificent, I believe it is God’s will that we do all we can right here in the present.

My current writing may only be to a small audience on this blog. My present speaking may be limited to teaching a class at church or telling a story and spiritual truth at the company Christmas party. So be it! Even so, these acts can have impact on eternity!

Look Forward; Work In The Present!

That does not at all mean that I cannot continue to strive for more impact down the road. There is nothing wrong with that as long as I am following God’s lead AND still doing what I can to have impact in the present. Otherwise, I may waste too many opportunities in the present while waiting on the perfect future circumstances that might never come to pass.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul told them (and us) the following:

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6

Make The Most Of Now!

I think Paul nailed it on the head. We all have a calling. Striving for greater impact through that calling is a wonderful pursuit. At the same time, we should “make the most of every opportunity.” We cannot let the present slip by because we are waiting on the future!

If I could encapsulate it all in one sentence…

Do everything in your power, on a daily basis, to invest the resources God has given you in such a way as to impact the most people you can for eternity and hear Jesus tell you, “Well done!” on that day.

Are you living your calling right now?

What is holding you back?

What do you need to change today?