The Call & The Drive

We can learn a lot from the attitude of John the Baptist. So let me ask you, are you called or driven? Confident in Christ or confident in yourself?

There's a difference. Here are four characteristics of a called man/woman of God. They:

1. Understand Stewardship: The crowds, followers, disciples and attention...they were not his to keep.'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' John 1:15. What are you holding to that isn't actually yours to keep?
2. Know their identity: 'I am not the Christ' John 1:20. Know who you aren't, namely the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, and you will begin to understand who you are, created and sustained by God. Reflect on this reality, it will impact you beyond compare.
3. Know their Purpose: He knew his role in being the forerunner to the Messiah, 'I am the voice of the one calling in the desert, "Make straight the way for the Lord."' John 1:23. Is your purpose to make your name great...or is it to make His Name Great?
4. Understand Commitment: John knew he was called by God. He knew his role, he knew his purpose, he knew who Jesus was and held fast to his own beheading. 'He must become greater, I must become less.' John 3:30. What or whom are you committed to? If it's anything or anyone other than Christ first and foremost...reflect once again on your role as a steward, your identity, your purpose in life.

Knowing that we are called (to follow Christ) fosters joy. Within this joy we find peace in our position in Christ as forgiven and sent on mission. Are you living a called life as a disciple of Christ or a driven life as a disciple of ________?

Read Johns Gospel chapters 1-3. Adapted from Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald.