From Unworthiness to Consecration: Understanding Our Calling

Sometimes I find myself wrestling with the weight of my own shortcomings. I look at the things I’ve done, the times I’ve fallen short, and I think, “How can I possibly serve in the work? I’m just too flawed.” It’s a familiar whisper, isn't it? A little voice that tries to convince us that our past mistakes disqualify us from the sacred calling of discipleship.

It can feel like the gap between who we are and who we feel we *should* be is too wide to cross. We get so caught up in cataloging our unholiness that we forget the foundational truth that anchors everything: we are not worthy in ourselves.

But the gospel, my friends, is a radical overturning of that thought pattern. It flips the script entirely. When we talk about being called, we often think of God choosing the already perfect, the already adequate. But the Spirit whispers a different truth, a truth that echoes through the scriptures and rings so true for us as returned missionaries and lifelong disciples alike.

The Action of Being Made Holy

The key word, the word that shifts everything, is the concept of consecration. When we study this, we see that it’s not about *being* holy enough; it’s about *being made* holy. The Hebrew word used for this action—the verb—is *kadash*. It’s not a static description; it’s an action! It’s a process.

This is where the encouragement comes in. We don't earn the right to minister, to serve, or to feel the fullness of the Spirit because we clean up our act first. No, we are called *because* we are imperfect, and then we are consecrated *into* holiness. God has the power to cleanse and change us, regardless of who we were yesterday.

Separation: More Than Just "Not Doing"

Jonathan Cahn spoke powerfully about separation—the idea that to fulfill a calling, we must be set apart. But I want us to dig deeper into what that separation means in our modern context. We often think of separation as a list of "I won't do this" statements. "I will not gossip," "I will not neglect my studies."

But the Spirit is leading us to understand that separation is also a direction: "I *will* do this." It’s not just about what we are removing ourselves *from*; it's about what we are actively *directing* ourselves *toward*. It’s dedicating our time, our talents, and our hearts to the work.

Think of the vessels in the temple. They were dedicated. They were set apart. And while we might not have priests' vestments, we *are* vessels. We are vessels for the Spirit, and that requires a daily, conscious act of dedication.

Your Internet Missionary Calling

This principle applies perfectly to us today, the rogue disciples. We are called to be Internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, all the time. Our calling isn't defined by our flawlessness; it's defined by our willingness to be dedicated—to be *kadash*—in the face of our own unworthiness. It’s about showing up, even when we feel like we’re just showing up.

If you’ve been wrestling with feeling inadequate for the work, I encourage you to view your calling through this lens: You are not called *because* you are perfect; you are called *so that* you can be made holy. That is the promise of the Atonement, and that is the power of the gospel.

If you want to explore this concept further, I highly recommend diving into some of the teachings on priesthood keys and calling. If you're looking for a deeper dive into how to navigate difficult questions when teaching, check out Davee's AI Investigator role—it’s a fantastic way to practice answering those tough "why" questions with grace and scriptural depth.

If you enjoyed this reflection, please consider joining our next study! We are kicking off a new Book Club focusing on passages related to consecration in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to connect with other disciples who are committed to *becoming* holy together.