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DIVINE CALLING VS. BEING SENT BY GOD.

In ministry, understanding the nuances of God's calling on your life is crucial for fulfilling His purpose. One of the most significant distinctions that often gets overlooked is the difference between being called by God and being sent by God to do what He has called you to become and do. These are not the same, and recognizing the difference can be the key to effective ministry.

When God calls you, He sets you apart for a specific purpose. This calling is an invitation into a relationship with Him, where He begins to shape and mold you according to His plans. For example, when God called Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3), it was not just a call to action but a call into a deeper understanding of who God is and who Moses was meant to become. This calling is about identity—God revealing to you the person He has created you to be in Christ.

However, being called by God does not automatically mean you are ready to be sent. There is often a significant period of preparation between the call and the sending. During this time, God works on your character, your understanding of His Word, and your ability to discern His will. This period is essential because the calling is about becoming, and that becoming takes time.

Consider the life of the Apostle Paul. He was dramatically called by God on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), but he wasn’t immediately sent out to the Gentiles. Instead, Paul went through years of preparation, during which he grew in his understanding of the gospel and in his relationship with Christ. It was only after this period of preparation that the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2). This moment marked Paul’s sending—his commissioning to fulfill the specific work God had prepared for him.

The difference between calling and sending is also reflected in the life of Jesus. Though He was called as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, He didn’t begin His public ministry until He was about 30 years old. Before that, He lived in obscurity, growing in wisdom and stature, and favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). His sending began at His baptism, where the heavens opened, and the Father’s voice affirmed His identity, and the Spirit descended upon Him (Matthew 3:16-17). Only then did Jesus embark on His public ministry, fully prepared for the work ahead.

For ministers of the gospel, understanding this distinction is critical. Being called by God is the foundation—it is your identity and the beginning of your journey with Him. But being sent by God is the culmination of that calling, where you are commissioned to carry out the specific tasks He has prepared for you. The sending comes when God deems you ready, after a period of preparation that equips you to handle the responsibilities of your calling.

This period of preparation can sometimes be challenging because it involves waiting and trusting in God’s timing. You might feel the urge to rush into ministry as soon as you sense God’s call, but it’s important to remember that premature action can lead to frustration, burnout, or failure. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Waiting for God’s timing ensures that when you are sent, you are fully equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill your ministry effectively.

In conclusion, being called by God and being sent by God are two distinct but interconnected aspects of your divine purpose. The call is where God reveals your identity and begins the work of transforming you into the person He has destined you to be. The sending is where you are released into the specific work He has prepared for you, fully equipped by His Spirit and in His timing. Embrace the process, trust in God’s timing, and be faithful in the season of preparation, knowing that when God sends you, you will be ready to accomplish all that He has set before you.

Hope Expression celebrates you. 

Prince Victor Matthew 

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