"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Ephesians 4:1 NIV).

In his book titled "The Odyssey", John Sculley tells how Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer, challenged him when he was then the 38 year old president of Pepsi-Cola: "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?"

A tremendous challenge. Yet Jesus Christ has called His followers to a far more significant and long-lasting revolution than introducing people to user- friendly computers. When He bids us to follow Him, He is inviting us to join Him in a mission to change the human race from the inside out. He salvages our humanity so that we are more than sophisticated data processors. We become new creatures, born of the Spirit. Our humanity is restored to its intended function of being reflecting the glory of God.

The idea of every believer sharing in a high and holy 'calling' permeated the teaching of the New Testament church. However it was not long before this essential idea became distorted. Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, who gives us a history of the early Christian church prior its official sanctioning by Rome soon after Constantine's conversion in 312 AD, argues for dividing of our ways of life, or professions, between the 'perfect' and the 'permitted'. The 'perfect' life, he argues, is one of contemplation; such as the calling of the priest, nun or monk. The 'permitted' life is the term used for involvement in activities considered more 'secular' such as farming, trading, governing, soldiering, raising families, or other practical kinds of business. Augustine and Aquinas praised the 'contemplative' life above the 'secular' life. Soon the Biblical concept of 'calling' which originally extended to everyone, everywhere, in everything, was narrowed down to the specialty of a few. The concept of the believer's calling was divided between the 'higher' and 'lower', 'sacred' and 'secular', the 'clergy' (the called) and the 'laity' (the people). Os Guiness gives an account of this aberration in his book, "The Call".

'Answering the call' became synonymous in most circles with 'becoming a priest or a nun.' The Reformation tried to bring correction to this distortion, but went so far as to bring another overemphasize the pragmatic. The secular side of calling was elevated at the expense of any perception of the sacred wonder or spiritual dynamism within our calling. The 'Protestant work ethic' with its virtues of industry, diligence, thrift, and sacrificial service for public good, promoted the 'job' as one's calling, till eventually the two were synonymous. One's 'occupation' or 'means of gaining income' became one's 'vocation'. We use the terms 'job' or 'vocation' interchangeably today. We've lost the big picture and consequently the core idea of giving due response to our Creator and Caller.

The Biblical idea of 'calling' has to do with discovering our central purpose in life, our reason for being. It has to do with discovering our place in God's greater plan which centers in Christ Jesus. What is it that we are being held accountable to accomplish as followers of Christ? How can we practically answer the call of God upon our lives? How do we respond to Jesus' challenging words, "Follow me" ? Are we settling for less than God's best?

Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators, asked those seeking guidance about what they should be doing with their lives, "Why do what others can do and will do, when you can do what others cannot do or will not do?"

Here are some factors to take into account as you consider the P-R-O-S-P-E-C-T of answering God's call on your life:

• P- Parameter's Of God's Word. Get the big picture of God's purpose as it is played out in Scripture. What is God doing throughout history? How has He called human beings into partnership with His plan. The secret of our calling is to be found 'in Christ'. We share in His calling. Be sure that what you are doing complements God's purposes revealed in Christ. Our tasks should be God - glorifying and honorably within the guidelines of the Bible's teaching. A converted gangster does not become now a 'gangster for Christ'. As a new creation we must adopt the new behaviors that are in keeping with the life of Christ within. Charles M. Sheldon's probing question, made famous more than 100 years ago in his classic novel, "In His Steps" is an appropriate one: "What would Jesus do?"
• R - Roles and Responsibilities. Our vocation will complement the roles and responsibilities we have been given in life, such as that of sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, employees or employers, members of the body of Christ being manifested in our locality, and responsible citizens within our local and global communities.
• O - Opportunities.  What opportunities are presently before you? Which give you the greatest potential to bring glory to God?
• S - Stewardship of Gifts and Talents. What are you doing with the gifts, and talents God has given you?
• P - Public Good. Our calling is not primarily to please ourselves. Our calling is not firstly for self-authentication or indulgence. We are to model Christlike servanthood and consider how we can best provide for the public good.
• E - Enemy. Do not be ignorant of Satan's strategies. What would the 'enemy' of your soul like to do to distract you from doing the will of God? Take into consideration what the Scriptures teach about temptation and spiritual warfare. As the adversary, Satan stands against your active cooperation with the purposes and calling of God.
• C - Circumstances. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways. God is sovereign over all your circumstances. Your circumstances are not what ultimately should lead you, but they are factors to be reckoned with.
• T - Tentmaking. What you do to bring in financial support may be 'part' of your calling but not the 'heart' of your calling. This was certainly true of the Apostle Paul. He supplemented his income by making tents. He sought to glorify God with his handiwork, but tentmaking, in itself, though a reflection of his calling, was not the core of his calling. Sometimes, for one reason or another, we are not able to do what is 'the heart' of our calling. We must be patient and wait for God's guidance, timing and proper partnership in the fulfillment of our calling. What is on your heart may not be for now, but for later. Trust God to show you how you can creatively fulfill your calling.