Understanding your spiritual gifting can determine whether life is satisfying or stressful, blessed or burdensome. Take this questionnaire and discover your gifts!

Make the choice not to fret or be fearful. It’s for your spiritual and physical well-being.

She built a $2.5 billion empire on these Christian principles. Learn how they can also inspire your business.

THERE IS NOTHING EASY about being a Christian. Our love-walk is constantly being tested, and most days I wonder if "long-suffering" really needs to be listed as one of the Fruits of the Spirit! But, ultimately, our faith is an intentional, daily decision. It’s not just about what we believe. — It’s also about what we deliberately decide to do each day.

This issue of CALLED Magazine is about being intentional. It encourages us to live purposeful lives. Success never happens by chance. It’s the result of ordinary people consciously embracing their calling, applying discipline, and making healthy choices.

In her cover interview (page 40), CeCe Winans reminds us to never lose sight of why we are here. The Christian-walk might not be easy, but compromising our call can’t be an option. When the "going gets tough," we must remain committed to Making Changes that Stick (page 50). Our lives are like a vapor — here today and gone tomorrow — but we can be intentional about maximizing every day. Start by discovering your Spiritual Gifts (page 24) and Letting Go of Worry (page 34). And, you don’t have to do it alone! Mentorship (page 30) can help you find an experienced guide, and Lessons from Mary Kay (page 48) will inspire your Christian business.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 cautions that "those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops" (New Century Version). So, don’t wait for the "perfect time" to be intentional about your calling. — Just do it. — "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9, New Living Translation).

From time-to-time, answering your calling will be tough ... but, the Lord promised, it will be worth it. 

Enjoy!

Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director

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In her latest book, A Warning to Ministers, Their Wives, and Mistresses, Dr. Betty addresses infidelity among ministers: "I know of stories of men who have had babies with various women in their churches, stories of perverted sex, and husbands in ministry who have AIDS and other STDS because they are sleeping with other men ... some have passed them on to their wives ... abominable things."

Do you know that God won't allow anyone to define your destiny – without your permission? Yet, many people allow the low expectations of others to hold them back. In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Jabez's story teaches a profound lesson: How we define ourselves trumps how others (even our parents) define us.

Getting married is a life-defining moment. Depending on the spouse chosen, our life can be what one author called a "delight or disaster." And for a woman in ministry, marrying the right person is increasingly important — because her husband has the authority to cover or suffocate her ministry.

I used to struggle with spending time alone with God each day — no matter how hard I tried. After forcing myself to conform to traditional methods, I discovered that I can experience quiet solitude with Him in a variety of ways.

When my husband, and pastor, walked out of my life, a vortex of pain threatened to suck me away. He left me with three children, no skills, and no income. Sleepless nights, fearful days, and a wooden ceiling almost brought me to the brink of a breakdown.

One night at bedtime, I envisioned a basket on my nightstand. As I climbed into bed, I placed all my worries into the imaginary container. Within myself, I began to have a conversation with God:

"Lord, You know I don't understand how I am going to make it through tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. I'm terrified. But I believe that You love me, and want the best for me. I can't do anything about my anxieties tonight, so I'm giving them to You."

Almost instantly, my thoughts began to fly. "How will I pay the bills? I need a job! The groceries are running out!" But each night, I handed my anxiety over to God. He was there — alone with me — removing my basket filled with worry and pain.

In that rough, restless place, I discovered that God is in each and every moment, if we look for Him. But looking for Him requires that we take control of our mind. My focus had to shift from the concerns of my life to seeing and trusting God. I now see His love and grace through the eyes of my children — a glass of quenching water — a beautiful sunset — and every precious moment.

I have found my daily quiet time by turning off the noise of the world. I go inward — into a silent place — where it's just me and God. In that quiet place, I place my worries into a basket and hand them to Him. In that private and tranquil place, He tells me not to worry. His reassuring voice encourages me to "cast my anxiety upon Him because He cares for me" (1 Peter 5:7).

I have learned to take advantage of every moment. Instead of tapping my fingers impatiently at a red light, I can take that moment to connect with God. When I'm standing in the line at the cash register (instead of wondering why the person in front is taking so long), I can feel God's presence right there beside me. My "quiet time" with God has become whatever and wherever I want it to be. 

Have you allowed other people’s opinions of you to hold you back? If you answered “Yes,” you’re not alone. Every day, many people short-change their potential because someone thought they weren’t good enough. Well I have good news: God disagrees with them!