What is calling? If you have ever watched the film Into the Wild (2007), then you know that Chris McCandless (or, Alexander Supertramp) attempts to pursue his calling into the Alaskan wilderness. The film, told through flashback, illustrates Chris/Alex's life as a graduate student who feels as if he should pursue something greater than himself. Making his way from Georgia to Alaska, Alex finds himself meeting new people and exploring new places yet determines that his calling is to tough it out in the Alaskan wilderness. Though the main character is a transcendentalist, there is some truth to glean from his decision: there is a bigger purpose out there. Similarly, all Christians in the church have a calling from God. Every Christian, regardless of age or location, is called by God into ministry. Biblically defined, calling is God's invitation for action, usually pertaining to evangelism or discipleship (cf. Matthew 4:19; 28:19-20; John 21:15-17). And while not all Christians are called into the same ministry, all Christians are called into ministry, period. It is non-negotiable: as an ambassador for Christ, Christians are called into certain areas to share the Gospel with the world around them.

To further understand the topic of calling and the correct Christian response, I would like to delve into my own calling and faith journey. When I was younger, I used to have a passion for art, specifically digital design and marketing. As an aspiring graphic design, I used to dream of having my own design firm, located right in the heart of the Central Valley. It was not until a youth Summer missions trip to the inner city of San Francisco that I received my true calling from God. Another trip a year later and a Summer internship the year after that confirmed that I have the calling from God to be a pastor, specifically a pastor who deals with coordinating evangelistic events or leading mission teams. I received my calling initially at sixteen and had it confirmed again when I was eighteen. Since then, I have pursued ministry and Biblical study. Similarly, some Christians may find that God calls them to be a pastor or a leader within the church. God will use experiences or events (i.e., mission trips) to convey or to confirm a calling He has for a specific person. Oftentimes, this calling from God will appear through certain circumstances, emotions, epiphany, or various people. Sometimes, God will use dreams or even angels to convey a calling to a Christian. Occasionally, God will make Himself known to the person He calls through direct encounter or revelation, such as Jesus' appearing to Saul (cf. Acts 9:4). This does not mean every Christian is meant to be a pastor or teacher of the Word. Paul writes in Ephesians: "He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers..." (Ephesians 4:11, WEB). God gives some Christians the calling to be leaders in the church, but not all Christians are called to be leaders. Similarly, Paul writes to the Corinthian church about the various kinds of gifts (Greek: charisma) that the Holy Spirit gives to Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-30). God calls specific Christians to specific places, including leadership and pastoral care. However, just because a Christian is not called into ministry leadership does not mean they are not called into ministry. In the modern church, there is a tendency to think that God only calls some Christians to ministry. But the reality is, God has called and will call all Christians to ministry, regardless of ministry experience. If a Christian is an artist, they can incorporate the Gospel into their artwork. If a Christian is a scientist, they can use their scientific findings to show their colleagues there is a God. If a Christian is a software developer, they can use their knowledge of technology to develop Christ-centered applications. If a Christian is a musician or a performer, they can use their creative talents to praise God. Wherever the occupation a Christian finds themselves in, they should use their position to share the Gospel. A.W. Tozer puts it best: "Let us practice the fine art of making every work a priestly ministration. Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there" (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine). A Christian's calling is to ministry, yet it is through the variety of gifts or talents God gives that a Christian is able to fulfill their calling.

So how should a Christian respond to their calling? The answer is obvious: through faithful obedience. When God calls us to ministry, we must be obedient to what He calls us to do. God will give us the work that needs to be done, but it is our responsibility to complete that work. As a Christian with Arminian/Wesleyan leanings, we cannot sit idle and expect God to do the work for us; rather, we must go and do it with obedience to Him. Our calling is from God, but the fulfillment of that calling is from us.

Now, with any calling comes obstacles. Of course, it would be nice if life was easy and simple, wouldn't it? But the reality is, life is hard and complicated, and pursuing God's calling becomes more difficult as time goes on. Oftentimes, the more we go toward our calling, the more resistance we will get. From family needs to personal weaknesses, there will be an increase in direct opposition as we continue in pursuing God's calling. For myself, the obstacles I faced included school, personal anxiety, and lack of confidence in God. So how should a Christian react to obstacles or resistance? A Christian must do two things to overcome obstacles. First, Christian must be able overcome these obstacles through prayer and daily devotion to God. As James writes in his epistle, "the insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective" (James 5:16b, WEB). Constant communication with God is the first step in overcoming any sort of obstacle in the way of God's calling. Second, a Christian must examine themselves for sin and repent of any undealt-with sin. As a Christian nears a key milestone in God's calling for them, the enemy will try to distract or dissuade us from keeping on with the race. One such way he does this is through temptation, which can lead to sin if we give in to it. But, oftentimes, it is sin which can hold us back not just from God's plan for us, but also His blessing upon us as we pursue His calling. Sin can derail even the strongest of Christians, and so it is through constant confession and self-examination that a Christian can overcome obstacles in pursuing God's calling. The author of Hebrews puts it so succulently:

"Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2, WEB).

The only way to get past sin is through repentance. By laying aside "every weight" and "sin", Christians can continue to run freely toward the call of God.

To conclude, calling is God's invitation for action. All Christians are called to do ministry, regardless of their ministry experience. Not all Christians are called to be involved in the same ministry, but God still calls every Christian to do ministry. The type of ministry may vary, but the message will always remain the same: Jesus is King, He has defeated evil, and He wants all people to come to Him. God calls all Christians to do some sort of ministry. Whether that be leadership in the church or incorporating the Gospel into the workplace, God wants all Christians to use their talents and abilities to share the Gospel. As God calls Christians into ministry, we are expected to respond to His calling with absolute faith and obedience. And though they may be obstacles or struggles we face in pursuing God's calling, we will (through the Holy Spirit) overcome and fulfill our calling. I would like to end by quoting Paul in his second letter to Timothy. Paul was a persecutor of Christians, but after receiving his call from Jesus to tell the world about Him, Paul became an influential disciple of Jesus. However, because he lived in a time and culture which worshiped gods and the Roman Emperor Caesar, Paul got himself into legal trouble with the Roman government. Under Nero Caesar, Paul was sentenced to prison for political treason and then executed via beheading. Yet, while he is awaiting execution, Paul writes to Timothy this:

"For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8, WEB).

As the bell toils for Paul, he takes this opportunity to write to Timothy that he is almost done with the race. Paul is nearing the finish line as he sits in prison, awaiting execution. Yet his final words to Timothy serve as a reminder to keep pressing on until we finish the race. Paul, who is no stranger in using athletic metaphors for the Gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:12-14), has ran the race before him. Similarly, let us run the race before us through obedience to our calling from God, finishing with the crown of righteousness and hearing from Jesus Himself, "well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord" (cf. Matthew 25:21, 25:23).