One’s Calling

by Rev. Daniel True

The recent furor over Carrie Prejean and her loss in the Miss USA contest and the attempt to strip her of the Miss California crown has raised some interesting discussions and questions! A question I have is – - – “what is expected of a Christian regarding his or her place in the secular world”?

If Carrie had not been a Christian and was asked that leading question by the same biased, unfair judge and had even answered the way she did, chances are that not much if anything would have been made of it. However, all associated with the Pageant, including the judges, were well aware of her Christian stand and it was an obvious attempt to entrap or trip her up by a non-Christian judge. That point was proven later by the on-line  philippic  profanities voiced toward her by that very same judge on his Internet web site.

Most “religious” people are driven by the traditions in which they have been raised, and many have the wrong impression regarding ones’ own “faith walk”! Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT wear your  Christianity suit only on Sunday or Easter. We are commissioned to present ourselves at all times as followers of Jesus Christ. This is affirmed in the Scripture: ” - – - Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27 NKJV). In short, people should “see Christ in you“, the believer, for that could lead them to show further interest in “what makes you tick”. And, that could open the door for you to be a good witness for Jesus.

Most people, when they see the round collar, robe or other outward signs of a minister or priest, recognize him (or her) as “a man of God”. Would you be shocked if he walked in on Sunday morning in shorts, a tee shirt and flip-flops? Quite frankly, what’s the difference?  Clothes do not make the man (or woman) (of God)!

Minister friends of mine who normally do NOT wear the collar of a priest, when traveling to Africa and similar places to speak, do wear the collar, for the “natives” will not accept or recognize the “authority” of the “man of God” without that mark of identification! Sadly, many in the USA are of the same mindset.

I have been an ordained minister for a number of years. However, I also worked in the secular field for 59 years. Did that make me less of a minister? As for myself, I had the opportunity to make contact with more people in unusual places and ways than many “church-bound” ministers have. If you’ve seen my bio (ad banner in the header of this page) you read about some of those occasions. NONE of those opportunities required that I be an ordained minister!

Although I do have five years of Bible-school training, I do not possess a  Divinity Degree from a prestigious seminary. My ordination and initial licensing was through the last of those schools that I attended. Many people scoff at me when they learn that; somehow thinking that is not sufficient credentials to be directly involved in the ministry. Needless to say, denominations highly frown on that as well!

Surely not trying to draw a comparison to us today, but when Jesus walked on the earth, he probably walked in flip-flops (sandals). He certainly wore everyday clothing (wool or, rarely, linen  robes), not “priestly robes”. He didn’t have a church to speak in, only in people’s homes or “on the streets” (He did “speak” in the Temple occasionally). And, He definitely was not schooled in a seminary although He did attend the local synagogue as a “congregational” member. As “the Word of God”, He WAS the Bible School!!

The point I am making is, regardless of our “station” in life, Jesus commissioned all of us to carry on the work He began. This is the calling for us all! Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12  NKJV). This was not directed only to His disciples and certainly was not exclusively for ordained ministers (there were none then)! In fact we are all ministers!

Bible school does give you a more in-depth understanding of the historical accounts in the Bible, and liturgy pertaining to that particular denomination, and I do encourage that when one can, go to one of these schools and get a degree. However, even though you may be ordained and licensed at the school, that does not in itself qualify you to preach the Word of God. The school is an adjunct to but does not supersede the authority and anointing placed on a person by Jesus!

Whether you are a beauty queen or a bag-lady, a prince or a pauper, a minister or a miner – the call or the commission is the same – “- – - the works that I do he will do also – - – ”.

Join the rest of us – “go and do  likewise”!