THE TESTS IN THE CALLING (1) 

One of my dear ones does such amazing work leading teams that have to do with logistics, transport and outreach for the ministry. He would always say to me, “Sir, my bags are packed if we have to go anywhere.” He has such a great heart. He is giving his all to the work of the ministry. 

One day, one of his family members called him and an app brought out his name as “Church Driver.” The person told him. When he was narrating it to me he said thoughts began to bombard him. How on earth can he be such? He rebuked the devil. He shut down the thought. Interestingly, it happened as he was coming from the office to pick me up at a meeting somewhere in town.  

One of the tests that the called will face is the “test of naming.” For everything you do as the called, there will be three names for it: 

First, what God calls it. That task that you engage in as a form of service to the Lord. What did God call it? 

Second, what you call it. What do you call that assignment that you have received in the Lord? What you call it is very critical. It must align with what God has called it. 

Third, what people call it, there will be a name that people will give to it. Most times, what people call it is derogatory. They can call you a slave of your pastor. They can call you stupid. They can tell you that you are just gullible and used. They can tell you that you are not thinking straight. 

The test is always in what people call it. The trap is many-sided. You can get angry at the people and be offended. Offence is still not permitted in the calling. You can begin to see the calling as a punishment or even madness. You may get overwhelmed and abandon the calling.  You can also get offended at anyone you have been called alongside with or to help or serve in the calling. You will indeed start feeling used. 

When Jesse sent David to take care of sheep, the three dimensions unfolded:

What did God call it? A training ground for kingship. 

Psalms 78:70-71 NKJV

[70] He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; [71] From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance.

What did David call it? This is my father’s sheep. 

I Samuel 17:34 NKJV

[34] But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 

What did people call it? Eliab called it “few sheep” to spite what David does serving the father. He called David proud. 

I Samuel 17:28 NKJV

[28] Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”

Will you pass this test? 

© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa