Using The Word "called"

[Lil Red]

Lil Red, I feel called to tell you that your avatar is making me swoooon. 

 

 

 

you're welcome. :| 

[Gabriela]

I think that people often use the word "called" to shirk responsibility for the things they want to do. When a person wants to do something, but thinks others will not approve of it or will oppose their doing that, they use the word "called" to make it more difficult for others to oppose them. If you oppose someone who wants to do something, you are opposing a merely human will. But if you oppose someone who is called to do something, you are opposing God's will. And even if you aren't sure whether the person is called or not, if they claim they feel called, who would take the chance of opposing God's will? It makes opposition harder, more fraught. 

 

Hence, it's a shortcut to getting your way without resistance.

 

At least, that's what I suspect in some cases. Certainly not all. But the word is used far too loosely, IMO. We should be very cautious about what we ascribe to God.

[Winchester]

Yup. Called to have a garden? I feel strongly about gardening and the benefits for people but I don't look down on people who DON'T tend to the earth. Which would perhaps lead someone to say certain people are called to tend to the earth where others are not. But that just seems... weird. Would you say you were called to do something similar?

 

I am called to eat a chocolate chip cookie. Earlier this day, I was called to eat the rest of the Reese's Pieces.

[Gabriela]

I am called to eat a chocolate chip cookie. Earlier this day, I was called to eat the rest of the Reese's Pieces.

 

There you go, brother. Shake that responsibility right off. ;-)

[God the Father]

I don't think I've ever used "called" in this context. Maybe facetiously. I went to Catholic school and rolled my eyes every time the faculty and administration tried to frame the material (business in my case) as something we're called to by God, to the extent that "Business as a Calling" was a book included in the curriculum.

[Winchester]

I don't think I've ever used "called" in this context. Maybe facetiously. I went to Catholic school and rolled my eyes every time the faculty and administration tried to frame the material (business in my case) as something we're called to by God, to the extent that "Business as a Calling" was a book included in the curriculum.

Nobody cares.

[God the Father]

Nobody cares.

 

Your mother seemed pretty engrossed when I was telling her. How has she been, by the way?

Edited July 23, 2013 by God the Father

[Winchester]

Your mother seemed pretty engrossed when I was telling her. How has she been, by the way?

 

She is great at faking attention.

[AccountDeleted]

Funny you should bring this up - because I found this on Twitter as well.

 

It's time we turned this idea of "calling" inside out: 

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/you-can-change-world

 

 

Our good works are not the purpose of our calling. Our calling is not defined by the earthly outcomes of our efforts. No, our calling is to bear fruit from above: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

...

 

 

Relax and Rest Calling is not a code to crack. God is not holding out on you. We won’t find fulfillment in achievement. We’ll find peace when we understand our purpose is not to seek justice, but to become the type of people who seek justice. You don’t need to graduate, start that non-profit, get that job offer or wait for the kids to leave the house to really follow Jesus.

 

In the end, our calling springs from a victory that has already been won. Jesus lived a blameless life, suffered an undeserved death, and rose again so we might share in His life. On His way to the cross, Jesus told His disciples: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).

 

He chose you. You have been appointed. Rest in that. Live out the calling that has been set before you. “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”

 

 

So this is not a Catholic article, but it still brings up some good points.

[Roamin Catholic]

I am called to have an urban farm complete with chickens/hens