I thank God that He doesn’t give something only to take it back later.  Unlike us, He doesn’t think better of something after the decision is made or the gift is given.  He already knows everything and every decision He makes is perfect so when He gives you a gift it’s given forever.  When He calls you, He calls you forever.

God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them.  Romans 11:29 (NCV)

In the Old Testament, the Levites were called to be God’s priests.  Interestingly, that means that they were born into this role.  They didn’t choose the call.  They could only decide whether to respond to it or not.  The cool thing is that they could never not be Levis.  They could decide to not fulfill their priestly duties but they could never un-levi themselves.

Thankfully, God looks at those of us in the ministry the same way.  We may have “accepted the call” late in life but we’ve been called from the moment we were born and, from God’s perspective, we can never be un-called.  We are a chosen people with permanent gifts and permanent calls.

Honestly, there are days when I wish I wasn’t called.  There are times when I wish I didn’t have a gift/urge/passion/need to teach the Bible and lead.  I sometimes wish that I had a more “normal” life but those times are usually when I’m tired or confused or weary.

The reality is that I don’t know what I’d do if He took His gifts or His calling back.  It’s a privilege and I know it.  I’m so very thankful that even though I might fuss and fume and fight Him about it at times, He never withdraws His gifts or callings.  Thankfully, they are permanent.