It is the Lord who places us in His body as He sees fit. Our place in His body is for the purpose of edification and glorification. (Building up the body and honoring God)The call of God to a specific ministry or assignment isn’t something that people can call you to. God has to do the calling and we must do the answering to that calling. Your parents can’t call you – or you’d be “daddy called” or “mommy called” rather than “GOD CALLED!”
If God calls you, then He’ll qualify you over the course of time. You’ll begin your calling serving under someone else’s ministry and tutelage. You’ll serve in the ministry of helps before He matures you to your ministry office. The early Deacons, Stephen and Phillip, are examples of this. They began serving in their assigned roles as Deacons and continued to walk into the role of an Evangelist.
Stephen and Phillip plus five other deacons were faithful to serve where they were assigned first. As we serve in the Ministry of Helps we must do so with diligence as the fruit of the Spirit is developed in our gifts and callings.
- Faith – determine to exercise your measure of faith each day.
- Virtue – do everything with excellence.
- Knowledge – the more you know Him…the more wisdom you’ll receive from Him.
- Self-control – in a world where self-control is lacking learn to put aside your own wants.
- Patience – learning to face life’s situations is something you’ll have to deal with inevitably.
- Godliness – remain holy for He is holy.
- Brotherly affection – give honor and prefer one another in love.
- Love – true love will cause your words and actions to be gracious and kind.
As we add and develop these qualities in our life we become more useful to the Lord in the place He planted us to grow.