For a very long time, I treated writing as a hobby — even though, deep down, I knew it was a calling.
Why? Because I was afraid of failing. I was afraid of taking that risk.
The enemy feeds on this fear, and will do anything to keep us from pursuing our callings. Often times, we avoid risk to minimize our chances of failure.
The fact is, you will fail at times, but you are not a failure, because Jesus already won for you.
The good news is, God uses our failures to grow us.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 says, “When Jesus returns, our Master will require that we give an account for how we have stewarded those gifts. We must leave the goal of fruitfulness in God’s hands, for God alone gives the growth.”
We all want our lives to “bear much fruit.” We long to live a life of meaning. But how will our lives ever bear fruit if we run at the first sight of a risk?
And if the goal of fruitfulness is in His hands, if our growth is in His hands, then what do we have to fear?
Talent exists in all of us. Greatness exists in all of us.
I believe it can all go to waste, if we avoid going all in, due to fear.
What is even scarier than the risk of failure is the risk of missing a calling.
Never trying. Never knowing what might have been. Never exploring the full potential inside of you.
But, when your heart is fully surrendered to the Lord, the possibility of failure is nothing compared to the great possibilities God opens up when you take a risk for your calling.
No matter how risky, don’t let that happen. Don’t allow your gifts go to waste. Don’t miss your calling. He will give you everything you need to carry out His purpose, and He will never give you more than you are capable of.
You were given a role in a story that is much bigger than you.
It’s not about you. It’s about Him.
You do not have to drop everything in your life to answer your call — maybe that’s true for some people. Perhaps there’s something else you need to change.
Whatever that risk is for you, take it. Use your abilities and gifts from God without reservation.
Then, one day, you’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:21)
You are called to faithfully perform the special, individual role He made for you in His great plan.
We all are.
