Sometimes there is a real sense that a particular person is the right man or woman for the job. For example, there are many who hope that Fabio Capello is the man to bring about an improvement in the success rate of the England football team. The sense of destiny of an individual is often clearer when we look back. For example, Sir Winston Churchill, who served our nation so effectively in the latter years of World War 2.

The Bible sometimes introduces us to individuals with a calling. For example, the prophet Isaiah, who responds to God's call with the words "Here I am, send me!" Additionally, Esther, whose marriage to a foreign king enabled her to speak up on behalf of her own people when they faced the threat of destruction. And one of her own people said to her "who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."

With calling comes responsibility. Each of the four people that I have mentioned faces or faced uncomfortable challenges. If Mr Capello fails, the press will give him a hard time and he may lose his job. Sir Winston Churchill lived through some very difficult times and decisions at great personal cost. Isaiah's calling was to speak God's message to a rebellious and unreceptive people. Esther risked her life by seeking to speak to the king without prior invitation.

But what about us? We may feel that we are different from those whom I have mentioned and yet they too are ordinary human beings and we too can have a sense of calling or vocation in our lives.

I believe that our first calling is to respond to God's offer of salvation and a renewed relationship with Him. The Bible encourages us that God desires that we should all discover that relationship with Him, through which we can know His presence and direction in both the good and bad times of life.

The knowledge of God's direction or plan for us might be described as our calling or vocation. These terms are sometimes used of a leading towards certain professions, including the church, medicine and teaching. However, for the Christian they could equally apply to our call to live and work and witness as a Christian in our employment, our family, our community, our circumstances (whatever they may be).

St Paul says, "…whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians chapter 3, verse 17, NIV). May we each sense this calling and consider our response.

This month we shall be celebrating Pentecost on May 11th and the good news that when God calls Christians to a task He also equips them by His Holy Spirit. I hope that you may be able to join us for our Pentecost services.

Vince Short.

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Phillip Fowler,Web Verger St Barnabas Church, Istead Rise, Kent.

What is Hope '08?

Hope '08 is a huge opportunity to impact this nation like never before. Bringing together every type of Christian denomination, organisation and movement, the year long initiative plays on all their strengths to see lives transformed and bring lasting change. It has the potential to be a catalyst, for much more than a year, for lasting word and deed evangelism.