Calls?…Callings?…Is there a difference?

An opportunity for discovery

Welcome to my first “discovery post.” My goal is to offer something short, sweet, and always pointing to Jesus each month—something where you get to reflect and find meaning. For these posts, the structure you can expect is a verse (or two), a quote (or two), a thought from me, and a thought prompt for you. Let’s get started!

The focus for this post is calls and callings…

A verse (or two):

A quote (or two):

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” ~ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

A thought from me:

In the quote above, C.S. Lewis offered a thought-provoking illustration of the skillful transformations God implements in our lives. Oh, but linger a moment and entertain this thought: In those descriptive words of demolitions and reconstructions and additions and unexpected changes, is there something that remains unchanged?

In my life, I have experienced transformations through God’s unexpected callings. Those callings are a bit like Lewis’ massive, and sometimes disruptive, renovations. They have included new jobs, different locations, altered perspectives, adjusted attitudes, and fresh insights–often when I least expected them. Yet, as His callings have varied, I have recognized His calls as unchanging: “Bear fruit” (John 15:16); “Follow Me” (Matt. 16:34); “Go…and make disciples…” (Matt. 28:19-20); “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). These enduring calls, while still transformational, form the foundation upon which God’s unexpected callings find stability and acceptance.

So let’s respond to the question above.

In all of Lewis’ described changes, is there something that remains unchanged?

Yes! As God’s living-yet-always-under-construction houses, as those who often experience unexpected callings, we can know that His call to yield to the building process is always in effect. Neither time nor degree of completion will alter it on this earth. Furthermore, the implication of this call is unchanging: We remain chosen by Him to display His handiwork. Truly, there is joy when viewing the unexpected through the lens of the enduring.

A thought prompt for you:

Do you believe there is a difference between God’s calls and His callings? If so, what significance does that hold for you? I would love to hear your thoughts!