Calling and Purpose—Selected Examples from Scripture and Life—Part Three, Contemporary Saints A

The themes of calling and purpose are significant ones that we see throughout Scripture. In this and several following posts, we’ll look at selected examples from the Bible—both Old and New Testaments, as well as at some more contemporary called ones.

Selected list of contemporary saints—part A

 Mother Teresa

·         Nun.

·         School teacher.

·         The poorest of the poor.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

·         Preacher.

·         Advocate for equal rights for people of color through non-violence.

·         Martyr for that cause.

C.S. Lewis

·         Professor of English at Oxford University

·         Christian apologist

·         Author of Mere Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia, and other major works.

·         Influencer of generations to think deeply about Jesus, Scripture, and the world around them.

Fanny Crosby

·         Writer of over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs (ex. "Blessed Assurance", "To God Be the Glory")

·         Poet.

·         Musician.

·         Mission teacher and worker.

·         Blind.

J. R. R. Tolkien

·         Author of the epic series Lord of the Rings.

·         Rooted his writing of fantasy in his Christianity to influence an increasingly secularized world.

Millard Fuller

·         Businessman.

·         Lawyer.

·         Founded Habitat for Humanity to eliminate poverty housing globally.

Corrie Ten Boom

·         Dutch watchmaker.

·         Helped many Jews escape the WWII Holocaust by hiding them in her family home.

·         Arrested and sent to the Nazi Ravensbrück concentration camp

·         Writer most famous for The Hiding Place.

Evangeline Cory Booth

·         Bold leader at an early age.

·         Advocate, fundraiser.

·         First woman General of The Salvation Army.

Reflect:

What other examples does this list bring to mind?

 What implications for your own calling and purpose seem to be stirring?

 With which of the above examples do you most resonate?  Why?

 Is this perhaps a clue as to your own calling and purpose? Describe:

 Seek out a coach, mentor, trusted advisor to help you discern next steps.

Pray.

[Continued in the next few blog posts.]

Important resources:

• Take this free spiritual gifts assessment or this free Spanish language spiritual gifts assessment.

• Purchase the six-week workbook in English or Spanish:

• God. Gifts. You.: Your Unique Calling and Design 

• DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition)

• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis. 

All rights reserved.