I once heard a pastor share about a conversation he had with a man who was struggling with his faith. The man told the pastor that he was feeling spiritually dry and apathetic in his walk, and he didn’t know the reason. For the most part, he said he was still reading his Bible, praying, and involved in fellowship. But he still felt a lack of passion for his faith. And so, the pastor asked him what his calling and ministry was. The man glared at the pastor and replied “But that’s your job!” The pastor smiled, and said, “It is my job. And it’s also yours too, as a disciple of Jesus.” The pastor explained to the man “The reason you may be ‘feeling dry’ in your faith, is because you’re not activating a crucial aspect of your faith. And that is to fulfill your God given calling in life.”

This week in our community group, we talked about our calling and ministry as a Christian. This discussion topic came from Sunday’s message on 1 Timothy, where Paul reminded and encouraged Timothy about his calling.

The Scripture reads: “Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 1:18)

Timothy may have been struggling to find the courage and endurance to continue serving in Ephesus, so Paul had to direct him to remember and know God’s calling in his life. And so, yesterday we talked about how one of the ways we strengthen our faith for the good fight is by remembering and knowing our calling. Every Christian has a unique calling given by God. And a calling is a ministry, and ministry serves people.

So every single believer is called to the ministry. Ministry is not just for the ordained pastors, full-time staff at a local church, or missionaries in Sri Lanka or Uganda. But it is for every person who follows Jesus. That’s what the Sermon on the Mount prescribes, as well as the Great Commission (Matt. 5:1-16; 28-16-20).

In addition, with every believer in mind, Jesus prayed “Father…I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (Jn 17:15-18). This is Jesus’ commission to us, and his prayer for us, as he sits “at the right hand of God and intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:34).

So each of us have a unique ministry that Jesus is praying for and empowering us to fulfill. Now if you’re not entirely sure on where to start, here’s some things you can try:

1) Pray. Surprisingly, you’re gonna absolutely need God’s help to know God’s calling for your life. Be vulnerable and honest with Him about not knowing what your calling is, and see it as a quest together with God to discover. Next, confess that you have been mostly focused on yourself, and not on serving others. And then, ask him to reveal, instruct, and empower you for your ministry. If you’re in class all day, in an office doing IT work, or at home with three rascal kids—ask God to show you what your ministry is.

2) Locate the places and relationships you are involved in on a weekly basis. If you’re working, then your colleagues and cliental are 40+ hours a week of opportunities to serve. You could also find some coworkers and start a prayer group. Your school campus can have countless ways of living out the gospel. I know of a few parents who see their ministry as building relationships with other parents for the gospel. God’s unique calling in your life, could be your specific career. As for others, it require you to see your current “desk job” as more eternally purposeful than you’ve been seeing it. Trust that our Sovereign God has placed you exactly where you are, for a specific reason (Acts 17:26).

3) Journal or take time to think about what your gifts and interests are. What are you pretty good at? What has God given you as a gift that can be used for your ministry. If you’re good at baking, you can use that gift to bless your coworkers in the office. Everybody loves that person who’s always bringing good food. I know of several Christians who love football, and have used that interest to reach out to their community by coaching high school teams or other leagues.

And so, for some of us we gotta just go and try something out. For others we might have to reevaluate and remember our calling. Engage in that crucial aspect of your faith, so you’re not “feeling dry” in your faith. And instead you’ll be bursting with gospel purpose and vitality. This is one of the many benefits of the gospel— a redeemed nature, and a redeemed purpose in life.

Let’s hold on to this today: ”I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6)