Confident in My Calling

Galatians 1
Some people are engaged in a career -- a job. Others are blessed to be engaged in a vocation -- a calling. All work presents its challenges. Knowing that you've been called helps you to weather them. When operating within your giftedness, in your calling, you will experience joy, passion, and fulfillment.

Paul gives us a clear example. He writes in Galatians 1:

... I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father ...

Knowing his calling, he was extremely sure of his direction and confident in his work. For those who have a calling, it is often surprising to them why others do not "get it." Paul's call was to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, specifically to the people of Asia Minor. In Galatia, many of the people were easily swayed and wandering from the call of God on their life. Paul responds:

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you ...

Paul was "shocked." Doesn't sound like empathy was one of his strong suits :-). Paul was on a mission. He had taught these people. They didn't seem to get it nor have the same resolve. Paul uses firm, candid remarks of admonishment to them. He is not worried about their reaction or pleasing them:

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God ...

Paul knew who he believed in, who had called him, and he was not ashamed. This confidence gave him the ability to persist in speaking the truth boldly ... to run and finish the race.

There may come a time where the landscape for living out your calling changes. Communication with the one who called you (God) will enable you to discern whether you need to persist through the storms (which will inevitably come) or recognize that it's time to fulfill your calling in another place. Paul sought his primary guidance from the one who had called him. In this passage he states:

I did not rush out to consult with any human being ...

Well meaning people won't have the same connection with our calling as we have. There is time for Godly advice, but we must be careful to spend time with God in affirming his will and direction for our life. Paul gives us the example in Galatians 2:2:

I went there [Jerusalem) because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement ...

Paul first followed God and then sought out Godly counsel. Consider your calling. Spend time with God to affirm what he has called you to do. Be confident in passionately pursuing the call on your life running the race as one desiring the prize! In that, you will be able to join Paul as he said:

And they praised God because of me.