Called to a holy calling

2 Timothy 1:9  who saved us and call us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.

One of the interesting aspects of traveling to Las Vegas is the entertainers.  These entertainers are found at the various casinos, and along the sidewalks of Las Vegas Boulevard and the Fremont Street Experience.  In the outdoor venues, the entertainers are usually in costume and makeup of a famous (and sometimes deceased) entertainer. Last week I say two Michael Jacksons within yards of each other, Sheriff Buford T. Justice and “The Bandit”, Mr. Spock, Jack Nicholson, along with several Las Vegas Show Girls. I have a nice photo with Mr. Justice and “The Bandit” which is a whole other story and future devotional. 

The entertainers I listed above came to their “job” by various avenues. Some found their vocation because their appearance resembles that of the performers they are impersonating. Some require a lot of make up to arrive at the point of looking something near the performer the want to impersonate. Costumes also make up a good deal of their approximating the appearance. And in many cases, this night job is really just a second job or hobby for them. It is also brings in a good deal of cash for some.  The interesting part of this is they are not really the person depicted. They are, in most cases, not even actors. To actually be the famous person is not their calling. They are mere pretenders. And so you ask, what does this have to do with a “holy calling” as described in 2 Timothy 1:9? My answer to that is to pretend to be called, is to be just like the people I described above. It is a fake calling. If we are fake in our belief in Jesus Christ, if we are shallow in our defense of the Lord, the we have missed what we are called to do. 2 Timothy 1:9 lets us know that we who are saved and called not because of our works. We are called because of God’s purpose which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us that but in our hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. If we are mere pretenders in our faith and belief, none of this happens. None of this fulfills the calling and purpose laid out for us. We must pray for the strength, and faith to grasp what is our calling and to hold onto that faith with all of the strength given to us. Otherwise we are no more effective in fulfilling our calling than the guy dressed up as Sheriff Buford T. Justice. He was not Jackie Gleason, just someone who looked and acted somewhat like the actor. To be less than genuine is to dishonor Jesus. So, let us all put aside our being a Christian just on Sunday morning are stay that way for the rest of the week. Let’s all be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is within each of us.

PRAYER: Lord God, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to be poured out upon each of us in full measure. We ask for the faith to stay strong and committed. We ask for the strength to resist the fake callings we are tempted with in the world. We ask for the humility to serve all who need to be served. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.