“I wouldn’t, I couldn’t do it without the calling of God,” was a phrase I recently heard someone say. I began to reflect upon that phrase. Many people say they are “called.” I myself have said, “I am called to be a teacher.”

But was I called to be a “minister’s wife”? Did you always see yourself as a minister’s wife? How did you come

upon the role as the minister’s wife? I know for me, I fell in love with a minister and had a desire to be his

“helpmate” in all things. Did that make me “called”?

“Called” is translated from the Greek word “kletos” and is related to the noun “klesis” which means “a calling.” It is defined as “God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of salvation.” It is a benefit of salvation. To be called by God is to be chosen by God for certain purposes.

God created us and chose us for certain purposes! How exciting! Psalm 139:15 states, “Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together out of human sight.” The Lord formed us inside our mother’s womb for certain purposes that began after birth and continue throughout life. Ephesians 4:1 says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” This verse is part of the letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus while he was imprisoned in Rome. Paul himself was aware of his calling and is encouraging us still today to live a life worthy of our calling.

Our culture, our church and our Lord is expecting us to walk worthy of the vocation to which we were called. Worthy is defined as “having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way.” We are God’s gift to the church, our family and our communities. What is the focus of our calling? Ephesians 4:11-12 so clearly explains, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

I love that we are reminded and encouraged in Romans 11:29, “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” This means we have these gifts and callings throughout our entire life. It doesn’t matter what our specific ministry position is. He equips us whether we are the youth pastor, minister of music, associate pastor, senior pastor and even as a pastor’s wife! We are SO worthy!

“So, here is what I want you to do, God helping you, take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking around life and place it before God as an offering. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out in you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Message Bible, Romans 12:1-2

Love, Learn &  Live - Michelle