Knowing my penchant for writing, an extended family member loaned me the book, Behind the Stories by Diane Eble. It tells how several Christian authors ended up with writing careers. But others, besides would-be writers, will profit from reading how God works as He leads persons into the careers that He has destined for them. This book is one of the most encouraging, inspirational and practical books that I have ever read. It also is an easy read because most of the stories are only two or three pages long.
The idea of being “called” to a career by God is referred to often. Growing up in the Catholic faith I was familiar with the term; but I thought it was limited to becoming a nun or priest. Having an uncle who was a priest solidified that concept even more until, as a 30 year old, I began to attend Protestant Bible studies. There I learned that God calls all persons to a career or life’s work for which He has planned for them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Towards the end of the book (on page 274) the term “call” is summed up nicely. “Each person’s relationship with God is individual, personal. He (God) rarely works in exactly the same way twice. But this he does consistently: he mercifully fits the call and the means to the unique personality, circumstances, weaknesses, and strengths of each individual. Never forget God’s first call is to a relationship with him. As you respond to that primary call, he gently leads you in the path he has created just for you. You’ll know the way, because the shoes he gives you will fit exactly, the signposts will seem written just for you and all along the way joy will spur you on.”
I am hoping that by reading these short stories of how God has worked in the lives of others, each of you will better see how he is working in yours. God creates all of us with natural talents. We develop skills through practice and study. God also gives us gifts that we are to primarily use in the church. All Christians are gifted with the equipment that is needed to accomplish the work for which we were created, bringing us great joy and giving God glory.
So get the book, which I think is out of print; but Amazon still has it. Read the book. Determine how God has gifted you. Define or refine your call and experience the joy that God has laid out before you.
Some of you who read this may be past retirement age or limited by the disabilities that age brings. God still has work for you to do but it may vary, out of necessity, from what you have done in the past. So try doing something new or different, perhaps something you could not do when you were younger. We are living longer these days. God knew that we would; so he planned your work for this time also.