In the game Monopoly, you must start at a space on the game board titled GO. The game revolves around this one spot. It is the central location on the game board that maps out the possible properties to purchase. In our lives the “GO” box is the point when we actively begin to realize God’s vision as our vision, and to pursue it as our life’s goal. Many Christians, however, have no idea where the “GO” box is when it comes to carrying out God’s vision. By the way, Monopoly is one of my favorite games and when I play with my family they don’t like me. I play for keeps and take no prisoners.

For many years I thought my call was to be a good husband and father. It is essential that one not confuse God’s call with God’s commands. God’s commands are general and given to all His children. A call is an invitation to use one’s unique gifts and abilities in a role specifically designed for the individual.

It is commanded to everyone who is a follower of Jesus to be a good employer, a good employee, a good neighbor, and a good friend. They are not calls, but they are responsibilities. Knowing your specific call is a cool place to be. It gives you hope, confidence and the courage to forge ahead. Many influences have helped me know the call for my life. First and foremost of these has been a total faith in God and his word, the Bible. The Bible has served as the grid through which I have evaluated life experiences, talents, and the counsel I have received from friends along the way.

Where there is a call, there has to be a caller, someone who says to you, “Go do this or go do that.” My “divine” call has been to pastor and plant churches and now to coach and lead church planters. There is no doubt that the caller was God. I believe he extended an invitation to me after I prayed that he would open a door for full time ministry. The things fools ask for! Ron Sylvia, pastor of Church of The Springs in Ocala, Florida says, “Vision must first be God-given because the church was, and still is, his idea. When God wants a new church started and a city to be impacted by Him, he taps someone on the shoulder and places a vision in their heart.”