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When we are born again, one of the things we desire is to serve God. Sometimes people think of serving God only in terms of becoming a pastor, preacher or missionary. But just as there are many parts in our human body with different functions, there are many parts in the body of Christ also to serve God. Nothing is superior or inferior to another, because God needs all of us and He assigns unique roles to us according to His choice (1Cor.12:4-7). Our aim must be to be faithful with whatever God entrusts us with, not to desire any role that someone else has, or to think that our work is insignificant. When God chooses to ask one of us to do something, let us remember that He will give us whatever we need to carry it out. One question that usually comes up in many minds in this context is, "What does God want me to do?"

There is an answer some people give that appears to be logical. They say that if God calls us to do something, He would have already given us some natural abilities or skills that we require to do that particular task. Or we may have some hidden abilities that we are not yet aware of, and so, they say, God looks at our potential and decides what we should do. Therefore, if we can identify our skill set by looking at ourselves, we can then proceed to identify what God wants us to do.

But this is just a natural way of looking at the subject. If Peter took this approach, he would have remained a fisherman instead of a fisher of men, Jeremiah a priest rather than a prophet, Amos a shepherd and a grower of figs and not a prophet, etc. Yes, many times God uses our natural abilities (which He has given us). But isn't the call of God supernatural, asking us to do some things we cannot do without a supernatural help from God? For example, if a speaker is to be effective in the church, is what he needs a Bible college degree, or an anointing from God to know what exactly is required to be spoken at different times, and to have the spiritual authority of God behind what he says? Isn't it better to say that God does not call us looking at our potential but at the plan He has for each one of us? He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Je.1:5).

God calls us in different ways. Sometimes it is through making some word come alive to us as we read the Bible or as we listen to a message. The Holy Spirit may directly place an impression in our heart. We may see some need around us and become burdened about it. When we start praying over it and doing something small, we see it slowly becoming bigger and bearing fruit. Whatever way we hear God, there will be a growing assurance in our heart that this is what God wants us to do. This assurance will keep us when we face challenges or opposition.

If we make up our own plans and start serving God that way, that is bound to end up as hay or stubble (1Co.3:12,13).

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