Write2Ignite

Each of us has been called to serve our mighty God in a unique way. But we can become too busy fulfilling our call that we only focus on the “doing.” We want to do better—to write well, to teach effectively, to do whatever we’ve been called to do to the best of our ability

Yet our ability is limited. We often struggle with our inadequacy as we represent the King of Kings. And of course, and we seek His enabling to accomplish His purposes.

Called

To be conscious of our calling is to serve with an awareness of the privilege of being used by God to advance His kingdom. But that’s only a partial picture of what it means to be called. In the New Testament, Jude made a point of addressing his epistle to those who are called, loved, and kept:

“To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” (Jude 1:1-2).

Loved

We may be so busy writing about the love of God to everyone else that it’s easy to forget we are also recipients of that same love. We are loved by the God of love, not because we serve, but because He lavishly pours out His love on us because of Jesus Christ’s atoning work.

Kept

Not only are we loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), we are also kept. Our Heavenly Father sustains us and protects us. He holds us in the palm of His hand and there is no safer place to be.

He saves us by the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross, and He seals us by His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). We have everything we need to do all He has called us to do. More importantly, we have everything we need to be all that He has called us to be. We are chosen, loved, adopted, redeemed, and sealed.

When we understand who we are—and who we belong to—God releases His power in us and through us to serve Him by using our gifts of writing and our love of words. The order is important. Identity comes before service. Being comes before doing. Reveling in His mercy, peace, and love comes before writing in His name.

Before you write your next chapter, edit your next book, or teach your next class, give yourself this reminder:

“I am loved with a lavish, everlasting love. It has nothing to do with what I do. But it has everything to do with who I am. I am a beloved child of the King kept by His almighty hand.”

Once we understand God’s love and His keeping, we are free to serve Him without fear. He equips us in every way to fulfill the purpose to which we are called. And with that perspective, I wish you all a joyous Christmas celebration!

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* This post first appeared on Ava’s inspirational blog.

* Ava Pennington is a freelance writer and author of the devotional, Daily Reflections on the Names of God, endorsed by Kay Arthur. Ava also teaches a weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class. You can connect with her at www.AvaWrites.com