For eight years, I hated January. It wasn’t because of the cold, snow, or ice that would invariably coat the mountains of north central Pennsylvania. It wasn’t because the holidays were over and my pants were tight because of my overindulgence. I hated January because this was time when our conference had our congregation/s we fill out anonymous surveys evaluating how we were doing as pastors. While many of the surveys were positive, invariably there were one or two per church who expressed some displeasure, and it bothered me. It bothered me so much that I would lose sleep over them. As I reflect on why I was so upset by these few negative surveys, I recognize that some of my identity and self-worth were tied to wanting to be liked by everyone. As I have grown older and wiser (more old than wise), I realize something about living as a called man: while it may hurt when people criticize you for minor things , as long as I know that I am called, then I will have a sense of peace, joy, and contentment regardless of the circumstances.
Before you say, “Come on, Tom. That’s easier said than done,” I will say it for you. It is easier said than done. I wish I could say that I am much more enlightened and mature when it comes to this issue and that I have constant peace, joy, and contentment. But I don’t. When I don’t have that peace, joy, and contentment, then in that moment, I have to reevaluate and see if I am truly living as a called person.
If you want an example of someone who had peace, joy, and contentment, we need look no further than Jesus. Talk about a guy who got some negative reviews. Yet, even when His disciples turned their backs on Him, He still had a sense of peace, joy, and contentment in His life because He lived as someone who was called, who knew His purpose in life.
That is the kind of life I want to live all the time. No matter who likes me or who dislikes me, no matter what good or bad things happen in my life, I have peace, joy, and contentment because I am living a called life. And as I live my life that way, life will never be dull because I am living out God’s purpose for my life.
Conversation:
- When have you lived with anxiety or discontentment?
- How did you develop a sense of who you were in order to experience peace, joy, and contentment?
Recommended Book
Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their life. Is it primarily about a job or a role? It is precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry?
The truth is actually amazingly profound: What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do.
This is a guide for discovering God’s design and destiny for your life. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in ministry, Gary Barkalow shares how you can:
Live alert and oriented to the voice and choreography of God.
Discover and interpret the voice of your own story.
Discern the strategic assault against your calling.
Recognize God’s intentional training in your life’s journey.
Most of all, you’ll be inspired to let the glory of your life touch the world around you