Be Called by Jenny Deitz

“But we were called!” 

I pleaded with my husband with tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart – we had moved our whole world and sought to serve in what could only be described as the trenches of the human trafficking movement. Yet, after all of the prayers and quiet times and intentional seeking of guidance, we’d found ourselves on the back porch of the safe house we now lived in, our journey into the mission field felt like a failure, and, consequently, so had our calling. 

We place a heavy emphasis on “calling” as something we do. We use it to describe a task, often a vocation, in service to the Lord’s purpose. While inviting the Lord into our everyday actions is powerful and builds intimacy in our relationship with Him, this interpretation of the word limits the fullness of its use in scripture. In Greek, the word that we often interpret as “calling” is kaleó. This is a verb that means to summon, to draw out, or to name. We see this root word in passages like 1 Peter 2:9, where Peter writes to a group of many Christians rather than a singular people group. It is in this generalization of the early Church that we are able to understand kaleó more in-depth. As Peter addresses believers in various locations, he notes that God has “called them out of darkness and into his wonderful light”. But it is in verse 10 that we see the context for this calling – “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” Do you see what he’s done there? He’s establishing the unity across borders, the common thread among all people groups, and he’s doing it by emphasizing Christians as the recipients of the mercy of God. A calling, kaleó, is not about our doing, our job, our steps, our actions – a calling is a naming, already done by God, that establishes us as recipients of His mercy. Receive this good news today: God’s mercy is the only call on your life; you need only to receive the work He has already done. 

---

Jenny Deitz

 I’m a late arrival to the world of motherhood but don’t mistake that for being any more prepared. With three beautiful boys 5yrs old and under, my roles include potty assistant, personal chef, at-home learning coach, “big feeling” soother, and a dream chaser. Outside of motherhood, I am those same things to myself. I care deeply about women understanding and living from their identity as creations of unsurpassable worth, value, and beauty, and I welcome the chance to share that message of Truth personally as a woman and professionally as a licensed therapist.

This picture captures this season so well – it is hot, we are weary, but we do our best to make the most of it. On this day, went to the zoo, we wore masks in 90-degree weather, and we made a family memory.

What you’re reading right now? 

The books on my nightstand include “Seeing is Believing” by Greg Boyd, “Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved” by Kate Bowler, “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God” by Brian Zahnd, and “Yes, And…” by Richard Rohr.

What you’re loving right now?

I am loving that I get to see my kids personalities more. They are so unique and have very different experiences of their lives, and I’m grateful to be on their journey with them. 

What you’re watching right now? 

Though we watch “The Umbrella Academy” regularly, I have yet to go an episode without critiquing their obvious foreshadowing. Most other shows include kid picks like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Lego cartoons.

What attribute of God’s character you’re experiencing most right now? 

The attribute of God that I’m experiencing most right now is God’s steadfastness. When I want to give up on myself or others, He remains. In the filth, in the selfishness, in the disappointment – He remains.