Would you like to know the answer to that question, and why is that important? Through Biblical teaching we are encouraged to believe all people are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:13-18). Just as John, Jeremiah, Moses, and Jesus came into this world with a specific plan from God, so I believe all of us have a calling or purpose from God (Luke 1:13-17; Jer 1:5; Ex 3:1-12; Luke 1:29-33). Eph. 4:1 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,”. To walk worthy of His call I define as believing in it and joining with Him in it.
You are here in this time, and place for God’s purpose and plan. He knows the days, seasons, places, and details of your life, and His great plan for it all. Some people aren’t curious, and perhaps even attempt avoiding discovery of God’s plan for them. Why would they do that? Shame, guilt, anger, and fear are common culprits in our being robbed of life purpose.
When I considered the possibility that God was calling me to serve Him, as a twenty year old new convert to Christ, I thought there just wouldn’t be a way that God desired a person like me to represent Him anywhere, to anyone. I was more focused on Him being “pure” and so much beyond me, rather than on His being “love” to me and others. “God is love!” It is in His love for us that He calls us to join with Him in life. We have an enemy that is skilled at using things like shame, guilt, anger, and fear to intimidate or distract us from hearing God’s heart for ourselves and others. This enemy is brazenly stealing life and freedom from us, and under the negative influence of his lies, we allow it. Too often the life mirror we view ourselves in reminds us of personal weaknesses and past failures. With our human reasoning screening out God’s heart and Word we can struggle to imagine God not trusting us with anything as important as representing Him anywhere and to anyone. It’s a lie! The truth is that in His love for you He has called you. It is the best thing for you, and it’s worth rejecting lies about ourselves, others, and God in order to get a hold of it.
We are often vulnerable to fearing the cost and/or consequences of opening our hearts for our own God inspired mission. That fear could keep you from experiencing high levels of joy and peace in this life, as well as freedom from besetting troubles. Don’t give in to that fear! “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” Rom 3:23. I remember going to Haiti to speak to ministers about thirty years ago. I kept telling God that I wasn’t the best choice and asking Him if there was someone better. The response I got was, “The more gifted people didn’t want to go, therefore I will use you.” It was enough for me. Many blessings have come into my life by following and obeying Jesus when I was uncomfortable and felt like I wasn’t the best choice. I look back now and see how God used this obedience to keep me nearer to Him, and nearer to Him is a great place to experience life.