This Grand Adventure We're On!
Below is a transcript of this video.
Hi, my name is R.J. Scherba. I’m a Certified Professional Christian Life Coach, specializing in helping people find and fulfill their Christian Calling. This is the first of what I hope and truly believe will be many videos about helping YOU find and fulfill your Christian calling. And I also believe that this video will be a significant turning point in my own life. Because with this video, I am publicly doing a very important accountability thing called “taking up the MANTLE” for the next significant stage of my Christian calling. So what does that mean? …
In the Bible, prophets such as Elisha and Samuel took up MANTLES as visible, public symbols of their calling from God. THEIR MANTLES were large, loose-fitting long cloaks made of animal skin. Now, I’m not a prophet, and I’m not planning to start parading around in sheepskin robes! But I have come to realize the importance of owning up — to myself and to others — what I believe God has called me to do next — and in fact what I now believe He’s been preparing me to do for years. …
I believe God is calling me to design and put on the Internet a unique kind of comprehensive COURSE about helping Christians who are more mature in the faith how to move up to the next level of their Christian calling — especially when their calling seems to stall, or get stale, or in some cases even come to a screeching halt! …
Many Christians have written many excellent books to help people GET STARTED with their calling or life purpose. Most of those books teach people a three-step process for finding their Christian calling or life purpose: FIRST, discover your spiritual gifts. SECOND, figure out where your passions match God’s purposes in the world. And THIRD, discover how your past experiences and struggles might point to your future Christian calling role. …
But for the past 10 years or so, I’ve become intrigued about how we older, more experienced, and hopefully more mature Christians can rediscover calling when it changes direction as we get older. I’m talking about people older than young adult — sometimes middle-aged adults, but sometimes senior adults, and even those in retirement age. — God put DEEP inside many of us a strong yearning to find and fulfill God’s calling in our lives. But we experienced Christians already know our spiritual gifts and our passions, and how God has used us in the past in His Kingdom. So most of the books out there about calling don’t help us much anymore. In fact, they even can seem discouraging, because they seem targeted to younger people. We begin to wonder if it’s too late for us in Christian calling. …
But it’s never too late! In fact, biblical teaching, Christian research, and my own coaching of dozens of older-than-young-adult people about Christian calling PROVE that the SWEET SPOT of Christian calling is often in the last half or even the last quarter of life! …
Almost 8 years ago, I began a new ministry called R.J. Scherba Christian Coaching. As a Certified Professional Christian Life Coach, I help people — especially people older than young-adult — find and fulfill their Christian calling. For the past 8 years, I’ve been doing that, coaching clients on the phone from all over the United States — and a few from other countries. God gifted me with a research-oriented brain! So I’ve analyzed a lot of what I’ve learned — from my coaching clients, and some in-depth study of Christian research, and biblical studies, and even from my own life. And I’ve discovered some patterns about God’s purposes and prompts during tough times of Christian calling. I now apply those learnings to help the clients that I coach. And I now believe my knowledge is complete enough to share in a comprehensive online COURSE. …
(wry smile) The funny thing is that you might expect that I should be CONFIDENT doing an online course about Christian calling. After all, I’ve coached dozens of people about that very topic. — I’m an experienced teacher and course designer — I taught for 13 years at the college level and 40 years in local churches. — I’ve held three different calling roles myself — first as a college chemistry professor, then as a discipleship pastor at a multi-campus church near Pittsburgh, and now as a Certified Professional Christian Coach who specializes in Christian calling. — And I’m even quite competent with technology, so putting an entire big course online doesn’t overwhelming me. …
(wry) The reason I say all of that is not to brag, but to validate YOUR feelings if you’re unconfident about doing something God has indeed been EQUIPPING you your whole life to do — something you’d really LOVE to do but aren’t sure you can, because it seems so big. After all, who are YOU to think God would call YOU to do something so fun and impactful?! …
And I must admit that, at first, I WASN’T ready to design this course. It’s taken years for me to learn enough about Christian calling and grow enough personally to be able to put this course together. But now that I KNOW what to do, I’m still nervous. What if I invest months of time and lots of money in this course — not to mention my most fervent hopes and dreams — only to have it flop? What if I’m wrong and God really HASN’T called me to do this? What if no one buys the course? …
Well, I’m thankful that, through God’s grace and His timing, something finally galvanized inside me! I have absolutely no idea how it happened, except that God did it, in His time! Just a couple of weeks ago (this video was recorded in September of 2021), I suddenly KNEW for the very first time — deep down in my soul — I AM really READY! I AM! Even if I’m not hearing God right, and even if I don’t sell even one copy of this course, I can’t NOT CREATE IT. I know that God will bring His good purposes from it, either way. …
So … for the past three months, I’ve overhauled my schedule to develop the course. For example, I quit blogging every week so I’d have time to design the course. I’m gritting it out. Sometimes it’s great fun, and sometimes I agonize with writer’s block. I’ve gone through dozens of permutations of course outlines, titles, and subtitles. I’ve learned how to use various apps to record, edit, screencast, and store videos. I’ve researched, purchased, and learned how to use video backdrops, lighting, cameras, microphones, and teleprompters. I’ve taken courses to learn how to put a course online and market it. I’ve also taken courses to learn how to write more professionally. …
During these past three months, God has transformed me. In fact, it’s hard to believe it’s been ONLY three months, because so much has happened inside me. …
… So finally, this week, I wrote the script for the first video of my course! …
This public video that you’re now watching is me literally “taking on the MANTLE” — which means PUBLICLY OWNING UP TO—the next significant stage of my Christian calling. I’m sending the link for this video to the 700+ people who receive my weekly blogs. (Since September of 2021, at least 40 people continue to subscribe per month.) I’m posting it on Facebook and other social media. And I’m sharing it with friends, family—and also with a wonderful team of prayer warriors who have been praying for me and my ministry for more than 10 years. …
In the fall of 2022, I plan— God willing—to launch this course. The current working title is “Christian Calling Quest.” As of now, here’s the subtitle: “A comprehensive adventure from confusion to clarity when life purpose stagnates, stalls, or stops—not matter what your age or circumstance.” …
Okay! Now I want to bring all of this back around to you. The Message version of Ephesians 1:11 says, “It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.” What is God preparing YOU to do? Is it time for YOU to publicly TAKE UP THE MANTLE of your calling? And if so, how does God want you to do that? …
Between now and the time I release my course in the fall of 2022, I plan to keep posting occasional videos — like the one you’re now watching — about finding and fulfilling Christian calling. That will be great training and practice for producing my course for release in January! If you’d like to sign up to receive my blogs and videos in your email, just hit the Subscribe button below. …
I would LOVE IT if you would send me some encouragement by dropping me a line in the comment section below. And please do hit the Social Media Share Buttons on this page to share this video with others. …
In the meantime, my prayers are with YOU as you Find and Fulfill Your own Christian Calling! It’s great to be on the Grand Adventure with you! God bless you, and I’ll SEE YOU next time!
You have been my inspiration and mentor since the beginning of this year as l have found you when l was searching for my purpose and the deep yearning that Hod has put in my heart , l really love to talk with you over a ph call if possible l have a lot to ask as l am still learning, l will provide my number later on when I get your response thank you and am Blessed with your blogs
Thank you again, Antoinette, for your encouragement. I’ll reply to you privately in an email. God bless!
Thanks for sharing your heart in this video. I look forward to seeing where God leads you in this next season! It spoke to me too because I know I’m stepping into a brand new season myself right now. While I have experience in many areas, it’s almost like God is plucking me out of what’s familiar and plopping me into a strange place. I compare the strange place to being left in a city in another country where my skill in the local language is very limited. But He’s been developing this strange language in me for about a decade and He’s even changed my thought patterns and speech in a way that makes me more compatible with my new surroundings. Maybe it’s time for me to make a taking-on-the-mantle video too.
Wow, Daniel, it’s exciting to imagine what God has in mind for your future! I resonate with your analogy of being left in another country where your skill in the local language is very limited. It reminded me of my short-term mission trip in the 1980s to Venezuela, although I did have plenty of help from pastors who could translate. Even though I understood little of the conversation in the neighborhoods and during the worship services at the local church, I strongly sensed God’s presence and power. I prayed for you today for God’s clarity and courage as you move forward!
Thank you so much for that passionate idea, to reach out to many who are in need of Christian calling.
Best of luck in your finding new insights and approach towards Christian calling.
Thank you, John! I very much appreciate the encouragement!
Congrats on your “promotion!” As in all promotions in the Christian life, God has decided you merit this. You’ve earned it through obedience.
He is expanding your calling. Making your reach bigger. Using you more.
You go girl!
Thank you, Kristen! God is good—all the time! My prayers are with you too!
What a wonderful, informative video, truly heartfelt. You speak to so many who will able to benefit from it. Only God could have put this before you in your own continuing search for serving God, with Christian Calling. Launch Out!
Thank you so much, Barb, for your encouragement and affirmation. Your support means so much! God bless you, my friend!
Woo Hoo RJ. How exciting. I look forward to seeing this impact the lives of many. I’m thankful for the impact you’ve had on my life.
Thank you so much, Helen! I really appreciate your encouragement, friendship, and sisterhood! 😁I rejoice in all that God has done in and through you in the past, and how He is continuing to expand and deepen your influence and fruitfulness for Him!
RJ,
I believe that you have reached your turning point in life and you will be picking up the mantle and wearing a very fashionable sheepskin robe to set the standard. LOL. In all seriousness I believe you will achieve your goal because you are ready to put on your unique online course Christian Calling Quest that will be very productive. As you always tell me, you are more powerful now than before. I just wanted to send you a quick note to say I am in full compliance with you. Stay on top and stay safe.
Thank you, Nate, my friend. Your encouragement and affirmation mean a lot. Your time of fulfillment in your calling is coming too, and I’m looking forward to celebrating that with you!
This resonates very much with me!!!!
That’s wonderful to hear, Brother Phil! Thank you for the feedback!
RJ! Wow!! This is so exciting! You did a great job explaining what God has been doing in your life and how you are moving forward by taking on the mantle. I feel so blessed to be learning from you. I especially appreciate your transparency and vulnerability as you shared this next step. That is so helpful to know you also struggle with confidence and you take on this mantle. I will also be praying for you as you work on your curriculum.
Thank you, Tammy! your encouragement and affirmation mean so much. It is indeed great to be on this journey with you. God bless!
God bless you on this adventure RJ! I will be praying for you. I am sure your work will bless amny and draw others closer to Christ as they discover/take their next steps!
Love,
Martha
Thank you so much, Martha! I’m having fun! 🙂
God is moving! I’m excited to see how this unfolds.
Blessings~
Sue
Thank you, Sue! I really appreciate your encouragement!