Your Unique Calling

Your Calling

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10

I had wanted a red coat for years. But paying full price for a coat seemed excessive when I had several perfectly fine coats in my closet. So, each year I decided to wait until coats went on clearance and then I’d treat myself.

But every year, by the time the coats went on clearance, the weather flip-flopped. Who wants to spend their clothing budget on a red coat when just the thought of walking outside makes you sweat?

At last, one winter, I happened upon a discount clothing store that was having a clearance sale. In the window was a red coat. On sale! While it was still cold outside!

I wanted to get the coat right then. However, I had a store coupon for an additional 50 percent off that wasn’t good until a week later. That would make the coat a most fabulous deal. So I hung my treasure back on the rack, determined to return and get it the following week.

A few days later, I was out and about again when I got a call that several of my bed comforters were ready for pick up at the local laundromat.

When I arrived to gather them up, I saw a woman with two young children, all wearing threadbare clothing. I made small talk with the kids about what a fun time of year Christmas is; they looked away and didn’t say a word. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw their mom hang her head. I wished them a Merry Christmas and scurried out.

As soon as I started to drive off, God pricked my heart. “You looked at those kids, but chose not to really see them. Go back. Help them. Help her.”

But I didn’t have any cash. How could I help? What would she think of me? Would I offend her by giving her a check? I didn’t even know her name to write on a check.

I put the car in park, pulled out my checkbook, and

• suddenly I knew the exact amount I was to give her. The full price of that red coat.

I walked back into the laundromat and handed her the check. “You’ll just need to write your name on this, and I promise my bank will cash it. It’s not much, but I’d love for you to take it and buy your kids something fun for Christmas.”

Shocked, she thanked me. As I turned to leave, she called out her name, the name God has engraved on the palm of His hand, the one He loves and hears and cares so deeply about.

Funny enough, I went into the red coat store the next day to return some pants. Every one of those red coats I’d wanted so much was gone. So I bought a red scarf on clearance instead and smiled, for in that moment, I knew I’d fulfilled my calling for this page of my life.

Oh, sweet friend, you have a calling, a unique and wondrous calling from God every day of your life. Truth we find spelled out clearly in Ephesians 2:10:

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Today it could be in your local laundromat; tomorrow it could be a phone conversation with a friend. Wherever it is, whatever it is, remember:

You were created to participate in God’s divine activity.

Lord, I want to love the ones whose names are engraved upon Your hands. Help me to really see others and their needs as I journey along this path You’ve called me to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst, copyright Lysa TerKeurst.

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Your Turn

Let’s keep our eyes open to the divine work we can participate in today! Maybe it’ll be the gift of giving cash to someone in need for Christmas (which is right around the corner!), or the gift of helping, or the gift of loving someone who feels unseen or unheard. Remember your calling and remember you are embraced by Jesus! Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you about your unique calling! ~ Devotionals Daily

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