Calling (Part 2)

Last week I posted a blog regarding how God has been reminding me to be mindful of the calling He has placed on my life and my husbands life. As the Lord has been working in and through me, talking with me, and leading me to rest in Him I have sensed Him also reminding me to live the life He has called me to.

God does not only call us to an occupation, He also calls us to live a life reflective of Christ. 

When I was in college I felt a strong call to become a teacher. Once I began working each day within my classroom I realized teaching was so much more than showing up to work everyday. Not only had God called me to equip my students He called me to teach with compassion and guidance. He called me to see my co-workers as individuals who needed someone to care about them. He called me to be creative. He called me to pray for my students and coworkers. He called me to honor Him with my work ethic.

You see, we can "do" something we are called to but it comes down to so much more than that. Are we obedient to the call God has placed on our lives? Are we living out that call in a way that is reflective of Christ?

2 Corinthians 2:12 says, "We are proud of the fact that we have lived before the world and especially before you with clear consciences, living holy lives mixed with genuine sincerity before God. We have not relied on any human wisdom but on the grace and favor of God."

The Lord is stirring deeply within me to respond to the call to live a life reflective of Christ. To not rely on any "human wisdom but on the grace and favor of God."

- How are my reactions to my children when I'm tired? 

-How do I treat my husband when he's been busy and we're stressed about our finances? 

-How do I respond to the lady in Target who cuts me off when I'm next in line? 

-Am I loving people with grace and compassion?

-Am I allowing God to guide and direct my actions, words, thoughts, and prayers?

It can seem overwhelming to try and live a life that reflects God and it should be if we are trying in our own strength. It is not possible. I've tried! It is only possible by allowing God to come dwell within our life. Rely on Him. Ask Him. Admit you need Him.

The past ten months or so I have been reading "John Wesley's Self Examination Questions" during my devotional time. These questions are HARD and yet so powerful. I have shared them with bible studies that I have led and I believe if you allow God to work through these you will be drawn closer to him.

Are you going about life just "doing" what God has called you to or are you living out that call with a life reflective of Christ? 

John Wesley's Self Examination Questions

Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?

Can I be trusted?

Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

Did the Bible live in me today?

Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?

Am I enjoying prayer?

When did I last speak to someone else of my faith? 

Do I pray about the money I spend?

Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

Do I disobey God in anything?

Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

Am I defeated in any part of my life?

Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

How do I spend my spare time?

Am I proud?

Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?

Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

Do I grumble or complain constantly?

Is Christ real to me?