When I was called to full-time vocational ministry I took it as a guarantee of success.
Now it is truth that whatever God calls us in there will be confirmations along the way, but not always success. Calling is a beginning, an orientation to how God wants to you use your life. But it is not a warranty protecting us from failure.
This certainly is born out in the biblical record. Abraham, Moses, David all failed in one way or another. We see that their calling didn’t protect them from their shortcomings, whether personal or professional.
But what we see from these men of God is the ability to learn from their mistakes. Abraham was able to lead Isaac to sacrifice although years earlier he “helped” God by trying to have an heir through Hagar. Moses continued to lead the people up until his death although he struck the rock twice. David obeyed God even when he was being pursued by Absalom.
And ultimately Jesus was considered a failed Messiah. To hang on a cross was the end of his movement. But it was his calling that brought him to that moment where it looked like everything had gone wrong.
But we know that what looks like failure to us is something God uses for His greater success. The cross made possible the resurrection. And our failure, even in the midst of our calling, paves the way for our future success, service, and wisdom.
So let us never doubt our calling even when we trip up and fail, because we are in the company of saints.
