Confidence in Callingনমুনা

Calling and Provision

Scripture reminds us time and time again that God provides. So why the conundrum? Why the doubt? Why the fear of not having enough? Alongside calling is often a sense of lack. We can’t do it on our own; we haven’t the talent, skills, resources, or people. If you feel like this right now, you are probably on the right track. This is God’s design for us, that we partner with God in his mission and with other people. We also get to lean into and learn from each other; it was never God’s intention that we would be independent and self-sufficient. However, regardless of how many times we have read or experienced that God is good and desires to give good gifts to his children, many of us still tend to have a natural inclination towards scarcity over abundance. 

Augustine writes, “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”  Deep down, our scarcity is about being scared. We fear that if we let go and give out, then nothing will fill the void. Behind every fear is a lie. The lie that is rife in media and advertising and which has also penetrated our hearts is that there isn’t enough to go around and that our identity is in what we have rather than what we have given away, in our differences rather than our commonality. 

When we respond to what God is calling us to be and to do, we will not have what it takes or have enough. It will require hard work and facing some fears. It will often feel risky and contested. We will be forced to put our faith in God and enter into his abundance. The fact that it is God who is calling us will ensure we have the provision we need and that “all these things will be given to us.” Now is the time to be confident in taking steps of faith and trusting God’s calling for you. 

Questions

Where have you experienced God’s provision in your life? What would it look like to choose abundance over scarcity? How would that affect your life and your calling? 

Prayer

Lord God, help me to trust you with provision and to put your kingdom first, confident that you will provide everything I need for the life you have called me to. Amen