Noun or Verb

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ~ 2 Peter 1:10

According to the dictionary, a noun is a word than identifies a person, place, thing or idea.  Whereas, a verb is a word that is used to describe an action or state. This morning as I was reflecting on some reading, the Spirit convicted me because I have been treating my calling as a noun, rather than a verb.

Yes, I am an unabashed sold out sister for Jesus.  I will tell everyone and anyone I know about His goodness and great love for me and them.  I love to share His word with others. I am a Christian and grateful to be a follower of Christ, but when it comes to the specific calling He has now placed on my life I have viewed it as a noun, a label to identify myself.   I have allowed myself to be distracted by the joy of just being called and have forgotten to start putting forth the ACTION that is required to make my election or calling sure ( 2 Peter 1:10). 

Isn't God good!  I was about to trip over a crack in the pavement, but He steadied my foot and made my ankles firm.  I am not being condemned, but God is shining a light on some of the darker spaces in my path. He wants me to see things clearly so that I can go where He is sending me.  There goes that verb again. Go! In order to get to my next destination I must move. This journey, this race, is not like formal education where you take all the class required and then graduate.  In God's school, learning never stops.  My brain and heart have so much more of Him to absorb.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

While it is important to know who I am and who I identify myself with, I can not settle for just the title. The noun is not enough. I must make the effort. I have more stairs to climb. While, I wish I could simply levitate to the next level in Christ or blink my eyes and arrive at the next place,  I have to face the truth of my humanity. I must realize that in order for me to be effective and productive in the knowledge that He has given me I must continually put my faith in action.  I must persevere and continue to grow in Christ.   I crop of the spiritual fruit is not enough to sustain me for a lifetime.  I gotta keep sowing and laboring in the season He has me in now (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Father, I hear what You are saying to me.  Forgive me for being for arrogance and pride.  I don't want the title Lord, but I do desire to do your work.  Show me the next steps.  Help to live in obedience to You and your calling.  May I make my election sure.  Help me to put away the distractions and just dive into the work.  show me how.  Prick me Jesus.  Please order my steps Lord.  May I be a woman of action and keep Your charge.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen