Called - Part One: Our Relationship with God

As Christians, we are all called by God. Our lives are meant to be in response to the salvation we have gained through Christ Jesus. But what exactly are we called to? We all question, what does God expect of us? 

Throughout the Bible, God called people to a variety of actions and lifestyles for His purposes. As we trudge through the typical routines of our days, months and years, we may look to what God’s will is for our specific occupation or the roles we hold within our families. But what are we called to as a Christian; As a part of the Body of Christ?

The answer to these questions is two-fold. To put it simply, we are called to have a relationship with God and build relationships with those around us to share the Gospel. And these two sides to our walk of faith must stay in balance. We must pursue the strength, love, and mercy of our God to be able to continually pour into the lives of others. To make sure we are always feeding our faith and building the relationship with our God, we should always pray, praise and pursue him. 

PRAY

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

We cannot have a relationship with our God without praying. Martin Luther said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing”. Our conversations with God through prayer are the heart of our relationship with him. However, it can be difficult to find the time to be in prayer. We are so used to being bombarded by our schedules, and our human nature tends to avoid the quiet prayer time that our souls so desperately need. And let’s be honest, sometimes we are so exhausted that sitting still and quiet can just lead to us falling asleep. Anyone else? Or is that just me?

We do desperately need that time with our God. It relieves our stress, anger, pain, worry and so much more. Sometimes we need to come to God on behalf of others who are struggling or need to feel his presence. But we also need to consistently devote time to thank him for the blessings in our lives. Challenge yourself to maintain a daily prayer time with God. God wants to talk to us. It doesn’t have to be fancy or formal. He just wants to hear from us and bless us.

PRAISE

“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” 

Psalm 105:1, NIV

We are called to praise and worship our God for all the things he is. He is our heavenly Father, provider, healer, creator and so much more! So it is right and good to praise his name. We should share how he has blessed and encouraged us through life’s ups and downs. Not only do we praise him because he deserves all glory and praise, but to point others to him. When good things happen in our lives or when he gives us unimaginable strength and peace in the chaos of the world, we are called to give God the glory so that others will see him through us.

PURSUE

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

Jeremiah 29:13, NIV

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

Psalm 105:4, NIV

We are called to pursue God always, to chase after him with our whole heart! Prayer is part of how we seek God’s face. When we pray, we need to ask for his wisdom and guidance. God’s plan and will for our lives are so much better than any plan we could ever imagine, so strive to always come to God with an open and willing heart. Reading and exploring God’s word is the other major way that we pursue him. Scripture is a gift from God so that we may know him more. Find a way to get into God’s word consistently and let it be an amazing tool to help encourage, guide and provide wisdom for your life. 

God promises to provide everything we need and bless us with so much more. In his mercy, he promises to bless those who pursue him. Psalm 24:5-6 (NIV) says, “They will receive blessings from the Lord and vindication from God their savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” 

So, don’t miss out on all the blessings God has planned for you. Strive to continuously build and strengthen your relationship with your heavenly Father. Seek his wisdom, mercy and strength for the daily struggles that life throws at you. And remember, you are always called to pray, praise and pursue him all the days of your life.

Read Part Two of this Article for ways to build your relationship with others.

Casey Wayne

Monthly Contributor