“Have you ever studied a piece of equipment that was designed to perform a specific task? You will notice several different characteristics about that piece, the most significant one being that there are very limited uses outside of its intended purpose. That is the way I formed you when you gave your life to Jesus. You really fit nowhere other than where I call you to be. You really excel at little, other than the task that I give you to do. You can take great comfort in that. The world and most of the church will attempt to conform you to their mold. Most of the time, it’s to hinder or nullify your effectiveness. You need to seek wise counsel, but never allow anyone other than Me to direct your steps.
"I have formed you in the womb. You have a specific task that I have designed for you to accomplish. No one else can do your calling better than you. If you have not understood what your calling is, seek Me with all of your heart. You must make this search your priority. It will be the foundation for all that you do. If you have received your task and realize that you have little ability to accomplish it in your own strength, that is My design. You will need Me for every step that you take.
"My heart will prevail because of your need of Me. In the coming times, it will be very important that you are where I intend you to be. It will be the only safe place for you. If you have not sought My heart for your direction, if you haven’t understood who you are in Me, you will never know for sure where that place might be. More importantly, you will not have fulfilled My desire for your life. That would be tragic.”
John 4:34 NIV
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
Eph. 3:7-9 NIV
7) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
8) Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
For twenty years, I had sought to find real direction for my life. I had been in fulltime ministry most of that time, which included traveling, preaching, running a radio station, holding Bible studies, running singles groups, and writing books. My mission statement had been, “To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through any and all means available.” Somehow, though, there was a need in me to know my specific calling, not just me doing good stuff to please the Lord.
When the Lord showed me that I was doing exactly what was intended for me from the beginning of time, I felt like I was home. It was one of those moments that is difficult to explain, touching me in a manner that only the Lord can do.
I found a résumé of my life – something many never seek Him for long enough to be sure of their calling. He showed me that my mission statement was right on.
I now find that I fit nowhere else. I can do nothing other than this. It is what I eat, sleep, drink, and talk about all the time. When I am not writing or speaking about Jesus, I am out of my calling. Many people and situations have attempted to make me do something else. Sometimes during dark times, I fleetingly think of finding a typical job to ease the pressures of our faith outreach; but I know that I can’t change my calling - no matter how difficult it gets - any more than I can fly. I have been designed by the Lord to do nothing else. So, here I am - a custom-made, uniquely formed, totally dependent, fluffy, punch-drunk lover of Jesus - happy only when I am proclaiming His virtues and His Father’s heart.
The shoe may look silly sometimes, but it’s mine and it fits,
Jim Corbett
