What is your calling?

The following, are the words of Queen Elizabeth as she entered her royal position. Words of surrender to the calling of God on her life. 

“I have not chosen this office for myself: he has appointed me to it, and I go to be consecrated to it by him. My prayer must echo that of the Virgin Mary, and that of our Lord himself: ‘Be it unto me according to Thy will’; ‘Not what I will, but what Thou wilt.’ And because he leads, I may follow in complete trust.”

I believe marriage is a gift, and singleness is a gift, and you never know how long you may have it. So dear friend, embrace the gift/calling God has given you for such a time! There’s a beautiful scripture reference from 1 Corinthians 7:24 that says, “Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.”

This thought of remaining or abiding with God is beautiful, especially when you recognize who he is, and the beauty of his character. May we meditate daily upon his loveliness! John 15:5 reminds us of the words of Jesus, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Another one of my favourite scriptures, 

is from Philippians 4:11; “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

To be content in the calling of God for the season of time which he has ordained, will not only bring peace and joy to one’s heart, but will glorify the Creator/Owner. Let us trust in the wisdom, love, and provision of our Maker day by day! 

1. Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
   However dark it be;
   Lead me by Thine own hand,
   Choose out the path for me.
2. Smooth let it be or rough,
   It will be still the best;
   Winding or straight, it leads
   Right onward to Thy rest.
3. I dare not choose my lot;
   I would not, if I might;
   Choose Thou for me, my God,
   So I shall walk aright.
4. Take Thou my cup, and it
   With joy or sorrow fill,
   As best to Thee may seem;
   Choose Thou my good and ill.
5. Choose Thou for me my friends,
   My sickness or my health;
   Choose Thou my cares for me,
   My poverty or wealth.
6. The kingdom that I seek
   Is Thine: so let the way
   That leads to it be Thine,
   Else I must surely stray.
7. Not mine, not mine the choice
   In things both great or small;
   Be Thou my guide, my strength
   My wisdom, and my all.

-Horatius Bonar