Job title

"Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. " Acts 18:3-4

In Acts 18:3, Paul was described as a tentmaker. This was perhaps one of the main ways he supported himself as he traveled to spread the Gospel, as told in 2 Thessalonians 3:8, "We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you." How ironic it seems then that his vocation is mentioned only one time in the bible, and only in reference to it being his means to stay and work in a place, while he fulfilled his calling... being "at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike."

The apostle Paul is much better known as a faithful follower of Christ, a crusader of the cause and a man that, by the power of God, changed the world by converting thousands and writing many books of the New Testament. Paul was ultimately defined by his relationship with Christ and not by his job title. What he did for a living only served as a means to fulfill his calling to be, "a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God "(Romans 1:1). Paul knew that his true "job title" was to be a faithful follower of Christ. Which begs the questions... will you be known by whatever title your vocation gives you?  Does your job define you or is it merely a means to fulfill your calling?

While I'm sure that many will remember me as a runner, mother and friend someday. I pray that I will be remembered more by my true "job title", a servant of Christ. May we never confuse our jobs with our calling. And may we use our God given vocations as a means to, like Paul, bring others to Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the skills, abilities and talents that you have given each of us to work in the vocation we are in. Remind us Lord that we were given our jobs, whether great or small, as a means to fulfill our true calling to be a servant of Christ. No matter what position we are in or where that may be, please remind us that we are to be faithful followers of You and people ready to do our "job" of showing Christ to the world. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

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Called to be - Jonathon Nelson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffsxHfbpGto