Calling - Vision - Career

Before we surf into this topic, I first would like to preface this writing. These concepts are laced with notions in light of the truth of Jesus according to the Scriptures. I am not sure if this information would be helpful or sustainable to anyone who is not walking with Jesus. I am unable to write in view of these concepts without the direct inclusion of a relationship with Jesus and the daily obedience of following Him. This is because I would have no place of assurance to base these concepts. Each point of reference without Him as an understanding draws me into instability and confusion. If there be any lack of this, it may come in the portion of vocation and career which the primary skill sets are developed by oneself. As example of professional sports players who have developed a skill but may not be Christian. But event within this, let us fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of the road of eternal life. Continuing in the content of this blog post, may it find harbor and encourage the reader to an eternal avail. With this preface, let’s get started with calling, vision, and career.

As God gives revelation to servants in the Scriptures, I refrain to say there are absolutes when coming to define these words or even separating these concepts as individual groups. Sometimes they mix and mesh and within train of events they are revealed and impressed in different realms. Some excellent examples we can draw from by learning from these terms come from people such as Abraham, Moses, Esther, and Paul. For many of them have account of encounters with God and are explicit about the endeavors of destiny. For a pithy and precise understanding, let’s take Paul as our case example. Before depicting his life, let’s loosely define the terms.

·        Calling: A theme or goal of someone's life, oftentimes issued directly from God.

·        Vision: A way to carry out a calling, ambitions, goals, or career path oftentimes within the counsel of man and guided and affirmed by God.

·        Career: A vocational action performed by skill sets and abilities oftentimes resulting in monetary means.

{ C A L L I N G }

Here comes in the sweet surf swell. Let's drop in first with the catalyst is calling. In these regards it’s fitting we start here as we prescribe to Paul’s life. This can oftentimes be designated in the maturity of one’s life. Within the life of Paul one of the primary portions of Paul’s calling comes from Acts 22. Within this instance Paul is praying in the temple. God spoke directly to him and said in Acts 22:21, “And he said to me, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” This was a 1 on 1 direct conversation that Paul had with God. The term, ‘calling’ unwraps and speaks for itself. For there is one who calls and another who answers. God called and Paul answered. While he lived out his life in the ministry of the Lord we know that Paul walked in these endeavors having a specific mind to preach the Gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles. In many portions of Scripture Paul oftentimes recalls and reflects on his calling. One of these derives from Romans 15:16 “… because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God…” Other examples include Moses’ calling during the scenario with the burning bush. Moses reluctantly answered. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah was called and replied, "Here I am send me." Even our Lord and Savior had a special moment during baptism. At this God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Shortly after baptism he was lead in the desert to be tempted, and then stepped into a 3-year ministry.  

{ V I S I O N }

Wave after wave, let’s now surf into the term of, ‘vision.’ Illustrating the terms of vision, we can focus on how to fulfill a calling. Key word, ‘how.’ Compelled by the love of Christ, Paul traveled to places such as Asia Minor (Modern Day Turkey, Greece, Malta, and Italy. During these journeys, scholars estimate that he traveled about 10,000 miles. This is quite the feat knowing that the distance between Los Angeles and New York is about 2,800 miles. (Take note he didn't take the greyhound, or have the traveling means such as Southwest airlines.) Accompanied in Paul was his calling to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in many cities. One of those longing cities being Rome. To fulfill the calling he was guided by the Holy Spirit. Then Paul seemed to hit a dead end. In one account of Acts 16:6-8, we can learn from aspects of how we understand vision.

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit form preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.”

There are two primary themes to consider when understanding vision. In terms of this text, we see that Paul and his companions refer to the calling to preach the Gospel to these Gentiles. Within the vision the next locations to commit to were in the province of Asia. During this occasion the vision was not permitted by the Holy Spirit. They tried yet again to walk out the vision of the calling desiring to enter Bithynia, but even so the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. They eventually took route by way of Mysia and landed in Troas. The second portion of the Scriptures described Paul having a vision of a man begging, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Paul and his companions on the escapade turned their faces to Asia Minor to have the Spirit of Jesus direct them in the opposite direction. Eventually landing in Macedonia, they were able to fulfill portions of the calling. They valued the vision in guidance of the Lord as they preached in Macedonia. 

{ C A R E E R }

Ready for the last wave? Let's drop into career. Prior to Paul's conversion he was a Pharisee; One of the strictest groups of the Jewish religion. Since childhood Paul was assured this position. This was because he was taught under an esteemed Jewish law teacher named Gamaliel. Here he was able to diligently study the Law of Moses. Within this context he was even able to learn languages. Some include Greek, Aramaic, and potentially Latin. How did Paul acquire money? Since he worked from the centralized government group that worked in the temple and enforced the Law of Moses. These responsibilities include speaking in the temple courts, upholding the Law of Moses, and playing an important counseling role in the community. In these regards, Paul most likely developed monetary means from the public. This work can be commonly associated today as civil service.

After his conversation he became a follower of Jesus, and He was no longer a Pharisee nor apart of the Sanhedrin. Then what did Paul do to acquire monetary means? He made tents. Although it is not explicitly known to how he acquired the skill to make tents, through the book Acts making tents was a consistent work of contributing to the ministry. At the end of the book of Acts, Paul stands in his calling as he proclaims these words, ”Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” He lives in Rome for two years in which he paid rent on an apartment. How much and where exactly he received the money to supply payment is unknown. Through the life and ministry of Paul there are three primary works/ careers/ vocations that Paul did to earn money. One being the civil service being a Pharisee as a devout Jewish leader, the other someone who worked in making tents, and the third being the support of the Church due to the direct ministry of preaching the Gospel. These were passions, skills, and developments from Paul.  As a Pharisee he acquired learning under Gamaliel and used this knowledge and skill of understanding by applying it to the Law of Moses. Another skill possibly learned from a family business to make tents. The third being to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in which many of the skills were developed and learned under initial work and growth in knowledge of the counsel of a Pharisee. In Paul’s mind these skills were initially initiated to attack the those who were following the way, but in the end was a support for furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There you have it; Paul's life. His divine and direct calling from Jesus, the vision to carry it out, and the vocation to support and achieve the calling. So, what does this mean to you personally and practically? May this encourage you not to seek these things in and of the purpose of themselfs, but in the purpose of being hand in hand with the one who is ultimate the usher of all things, Jesus Christ. That one day you would be able to resound the words of Paul in 2Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Amen. 

Wave after Wave