The following is an excerpt from our daily devotional series Fasting and the Heart of God.

“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:10)

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Have you ever wondered what God has called you to do in this life?  We often look at callings with positional titles, such as pastors, missionaries, youth leaders, worship leaders, small group leaders, Sunday school teachers, etc. If you are like me, you may have wondered what your purpose in life was and what you were called to be.

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Jesus made it quite clear what all of our callings are when He answered the question, “What is the greatest commandment?” He said it is to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:34-39). And if that wasn’t clear enough, He gave an example of our mission in life in His final teaching parable. In the parable of the sheep and the goats He welcomed the righteous into the kingdom of God by saying, “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…” (Matthew 25:31­-46).

Those entering the kingdom of God asked, “When did we [do all those things]?”  Jesus responded saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Our calling is simple, and it is the same for all people: To love God and to love people. It is not a ministry title that we are called to; it is to love and serve people. To be honest, I find it is easier to get some ministry title and feel I am doing something for the Lord. Yet the reality is that titles don’t feed the hungry and satisfy “afflicted souls.” It’s done only by the intentional effort of “extending our soul.”

Loving and serving others is the highest and most challenging calling on our lives. Jesus sees our loving and serving “the least of these” the same as serving Him! What a great calling! Convicted?  I know I am. However, there is good news! We are not condemned, and God is quick to forgive as we repent and seek His help, correction, and strength to walk a higher pathway. (By David Swanson)

In your time seeking God today:

• Read Matthew chapter 25:31-46. Think about the practical things Jesus mentions in serving others. Think about how you currently serve people in those ways. Ask God to show you practical ways that you could serve others in those or similar ways. Put some next steps in your prayer journal to help you get started in serving people in the ways God shows you.
• Think about how you could serve others together with your family, all involved at the same time. If you don’t have immediate family close by think about friends you could serve others with.
• Make a list of people in your prayer journal that you have relationships with that have “afflicted souls” or need ministry. Pray over those people and ask God to show you creative and genuine ways to for you to love and serve those people. Write down any ideas that come to mind and set next steps with goal dates to take action.

Related Scripture:

• Matthew 22:34-39; Matthew 25:31-46

In the early church, fasting was a regular part of the life of God’s people. The restoration of this practice can change lives. As you read Derek Prince’s biblical teaching on fasting, you will discover its reasons and the rewards. Click the image to order.

Fasting and the Heart of God Full PDF Version

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