Reality Check

Reality-Check: A Promise is Not a Call

By Justin Long ⋅ July 2, 2009 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

J. D. Greear at Resurgence.com has written a passionate post on The Confusing Language of “Calling” in which he says in part:

“Jesus made it clear that his will was for people of every nation to know the gospel. Why, then, are so many Christians waiting on a warm and fuzzy sensation—for God to spell out "Afghanistan" in their Cheerios—before they go? The call has been given. Go. If your talents can best serve God’s kingdom by using them overseas, why would you wait on a call to do so?”

The passion in his voice led me to reflect on the differences between a lofty vision, a divine call, and a plausible promise. Each of these represent three stages in a journey.

Lofty Vision

The first stage is what I refer to as a ‘lofty vision.’ There are three kinds of vision: what is supernaturally revealed to you by God, what the Holy Spirit-anointed spirit inside of you recognizes, and what you rationally perceive with your own senses (which are themselves illuminated by God’s gracious gifts).

In this way we ‘see’ something on the distant horizon: an image of need, a situation that needs to be rectified. This is a vision that we can point to, that we can help others to see, or even an image of the way it ‘should’ be. It is the situation.

Divine Call

The second stage is what I refer to as a ‘divine calling.’ I understand Greear’s passionate summons to not wait on a ‘call.’ However, at the same time I think there is something to the idea of a calling. Unfortunately, I think we make a bit more of a calling that we ought, and use it as an excuse not to go.

I personally prefer Rick Warren’s “SHAPE” approach: Spiritual gifts, Heart (or passion), Abilities (trained skills), Personality, and Experiences. God clearly designs each of us uniquely. He has given me different gifts than He (probably) has given you. God guides us and shapes us to enable us to bless others.

I recently went through the “Financial Peace University” course with Dave Ramsey through our church. Now, here’s an example, I think, of someone that is living up to their calling—to their “shape.” Ramsey has a substantial ministry (and business, true!) helping people get their financial lives in shape. Should Ramsey shuck all of that to go work as a cross-cultural church planter, translator, or relief worker? I’m not God, and I don’t know everything, but my statistical estimate would be “most probably not.”

On the other hand, if someone doesn’t know their shape—if they feel adrift and without purpose—if they are just wandering through life—then discovering their ‘shape’ is another way to say ‘figure out your call.’

It’s important to know your shape/calling because there are any number of lofty visions out there. Other people are pointing them out all the time. Which one should you respond to? You might personally see a number of different visions! (I know I have—there are always things I see that need someone to do something about.) But if you know your calling, then you can focus in on the vision that matches your shape.

(I know that some folks don’t like the idea of SHAPE, or personality testing, or gifts, or whatever. For me, it’s been a very useful tool. I’m not equating human testing with divine voice. I am saying that God has created us, made us specially for particular purposes, and that there are many gifts in the Body. So figure out what God has shaped you to be.)

Challenge No. 1: you could see a vision that compels you—yet feel you have no ability in that area. It may be that God wants to you use you in your weakness. It may be that the vision, compelling as it is, is not for you. Discernment gained through time on your knees in prayer is the only solution.

Challenge No. 2: you may know what you are shaped for and yet have no vision. This is a hard place to be: I’ve personally gone through that wilderness. You feel completely out of step with everyone else. Hang in there, and keep seeking in prayer for a vision. And read broadly: books, news, analysis. Get out of your own box and hunt. Figure out your shape and then start reading about other people who share your shape (biographies), read about causes they are involved in, read as much as possible.

Plausible Promise

The third stage is a response to both the Lofty Vision and the Divine Call. When you have a vision, and you know your shape, then you are ready to respond in obedience. A plausible promise is not a vision (a picture of what needs help) or a calling/shape (the kind of help you are summoned or are able to give) but rather the pledge to actually give it. The pledge to do something specific.

So, here’s something you can do. Grab a piece of paper. Divide it into three columns. On the first, write down your vision (or all of the visions you see). In the second column, jot down notes about your calling and your shape. In the third column, when you have the other two clear, write down a promise. (Perhaps even several.) Figure out which one you’re going to make. Make it to yourself – write it down clearly – and start keeping it!

Tags: plausible promise

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