TRUE Calling
by: Anne Miranda
What is my purpose on this planet? The struggle is real to discover the answer to this question. We think that if we have a career, more money, complete my Masters, more square footage, a husband, a different husband (just joking), go on a vacation, buy more shoes, repaint my space, lose weight, do a 5 K run, write a book, raise a child, go on a missions trip, read 52 books in a year, read the Bible in a year, take a dance class, ride a horse, climb Mount Everest – THEN and only THEN will I fulfill my purpose on this planet.
When truly, when we come before the Lord with this question, his response is very different than ours. When he created humanity and reflected on his own creation in Genesis 1:31, he knew it was very good. It was very good to create humans to dwell with Him and oversee creation. He destined a plan where humans would hang out with Him, be in relationship with Him at the beginning of humanity and at the end. In Revelation 22:3-5 the greatest reward we have is to worship the Lord and reign with him forever and ever. Somehow, as we navigate the middle piece called “life” on this planet we can lose focus rather quickly on what it means to dwell with God.
Our true calling – DWELL WITH GOD.
In other words, as John 15: 1-9 declares from the very breath of Jesus himself:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Some versions use the words “abide in me.” The bottom line is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit desire a relationship with you and I. That’s our simple calling. IF we get that right, then everything else flows out from that foundation. It is easier to hear the assignment the Lord gives us in certain seasons or moments in time when we are connected to the source of life, the vine that supplies nutrients to the branch of our life.
The bottom line is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit desire a relationship with you and I. That’s our simple calling.
So take a few moments to reflect, what needs to be pruned off your branch so you are able to fully remain in Jesus Christ and bear much fruit?
If we can live remaining in the love of Jesus there is a cause and effect to that equation. We will experience what it means to” not wither” but bear fruit. Meaning, we will live out our full purpose on this planet: to love one another and showcase Jesus through that demonstration of love so others can know the name above all names.
Anne Miranda is first generation Canadian born to a traditional Lebanese family. She is passionate about seeing the lives of women transformed by Jesus as they advance the kingdom of God in their lives. Anne and her husband Carlos have 2 children. She directs the women's ministry at Village Church in Surrey, British Columbia.