Discerning God's Will Article

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Christian Vocation:

Provides a means to make a living.
Allows the greatest amount of time for a ministry of evangelism and discipleship.
Focuses on helping to meet the world’s greatest spiritual needs as a top priority.
Provides some of the most effective strategies, materials and training for accelerating the work of making Jesus Christ known.

A direct call of God to a secular vocation is just as important as a call to a Christian vocation.

In summary…

Every Christian is called to maximize his life in service to God – to make the most effective use of his time and resources to know Christ and to make Him known.
Christians are the only ones who can effectively meet the world’s urgent spiritual need, and the need is growing every day.
The time we have left to meet these needs is growing shorter and shorter.
A Christian vocation provides more time and opportunity to help meet these urgent needs.

Therefore, in light of these needs and the resources Christ has entrusted to us, every Christian should have the attitude: “God has called me to maximize my life in service to Him, and He wants me to pursue secular service only if it accomplishes this goal more effectively than a Christian vocation.”

Whether God directs you to a secular or Christian vocation, what is most important is that you follow God’s plan for your life.

What are the results of following God’s plan for our lives?

4) God Has Many Benefits for Every Christian Who Follows His Plan.

God desires us to be happy and fulfilled.

Everyone seeks happiness and fulfillment in life, but there is only one way to experience true happiness and complete fulfillment and that is through knowing and following God’s plan. The issue for every Christian is whether he is available to go anywhere, do anything and give anything that would multiply his impact for Christ on the world. As we have already seen, effectiveness does matter to Christ.

There are many results of being an effective Christian.

Your joy will be full (John 15:10-11). You will be fulfilled because you will be involved in helping to meet the world’s greatest need – to know God.
You will make the most of your time spent in evangelism, discipleship, prayer and Bible study – those things that God has called you to do that help meet your life’s goal and the world’s needs.
You will broaden your vision for the world.
Your faith will grow.
You will develop greater leadership ability, both vocationally and spiritually.
You will receive eternal rewards. What you do with your life will last (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Timothy 4:7-8).

In light of God’s purpose, every Christian is called to go!

Jesus said, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38, Amplified).

Jesus also said, “Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the gospel) to every creature of the whole human race.” (Mark 16:15, Amplified).

In light of all that has been discussed…

* When you come to the end of your life and look back at what God has accomplished through you, what do you want to see? * Where do you believe you will be most effective – in a secular or a Christian vocation?

The answer to these questions will be determined by the decision you make now…

We must act in faith.

God’s Word states, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). We must have faith that, as we make ourselves available to God, He will use us to accomplish His specific plans and goals for our lives.

The most effective Christian is the one who makes himself totally available to God’s leading.

If you desire to be totally available to God, the following is a suggested prayer in which you can express your commitment to Him.

“Lord Jesus, here I am, send me. I will go anywhere You want me to go, do anything You want me to do, say anything You want me to say and give up anything You want me to give up. I want to help reach our world for You. I sincerely believe that this is Your will for my life. Thank You for being my adequacy and my strength. Amen.”

Does this prayer express your heartfelt desire? If so, you can pray it right now and make yourself totally available to Jesus Christ.

Which Christian vocation is right for you?

If God is directing you to a Christian vocation, how can you know which Christian vocation He desire for you?

There are many strategic avenues of service, such as denominational and interdenominational mission boards, the pastorate and various Christian organizations.

As you consider the options:

Ask yourself, “Where is the best place that I can use my time, talents and treasure to help fulfill the Great Commission? Where can I contribute the most?”
Be sure to obtain sufficient information to make an intelligent decision.
Seek the wisdom of the Word of God and the counsel of mature Christians.
Commit yourself to follow God’s plan as He reveals His choice to you through His Word and the leading of His Spirit.

Remember, God is not looking for people with great ability, but for people with great availability! (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Student Venture, Campus Crusade for Christ’s high school ministry, may be just the place for you!

Consider these facts about Student Venture:

The organizational activity is focused on helping fulfill the Great Commission.
There is a unity of goals and purposes directed toward meeting spiritual needs of our time.
There is an emphasis on your personal development.
There is an emphasis on your training (personal on-the-job trainer, seminary coursework, national Staff Training, leadership development).
Your skills and background will be considered carefully so that your experience will best be utilized.
You will be part of a team, therefore multiplying the effectiveness you would have working individually.
There is a broad scope of available ministry opportunities.
There is a strong commitment to both evangelism and discipleship.
There is an emphasis on small group discipleship, resulting in maximum multiplication.
There is a strong emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Student Venture works closely with local churches of all denominations.