1
Called by Grace: A Journey of Rebirth, Surrender, and Service
Dylan Holmes
GRST 501 – Graduate Research and Writing
Liberty University
Introduction: Church Involvement and What It Means to Be Called
My name is Willow, and I am currently in a season of spiritual renewal and surrender. After
relocating from New York to Texas with my husband, Lucas, and our three children—Damion,
Charlee, and Eden, I’ve found myself immersed in a new environment, both physically and
spiritually. I’m actively involved at Second Baptist Church, the first mega church I’ve ever
attended, and I participate in a women’s Bible study called Faith Over Emotion. These gatherings
have become a place of truth, growth, and community—where brothers and sisters come
2
alongside one another to love Jesus wholeheartedly and speak truth even when
it hurts.
To be “called” to ministry is not simply to accept a role or title—it is to respond to
a divine invitation. For me, calling means surrender, obedience, and transformation. It’s not
about being qualified; it’s about being willing. My calling has unfolded through marriage,
motherhood, and a growing desire to counsel couples and families who feel burdened or lost.
Ministry is walking with others through real struggles and pointing them to the healing and
hope found in Christ. As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you
have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Biblical Foundation of Calling: Rebirth, Surrender, and Equipping
Scripture reveals that calling begins with spiritual rebirth. In John 3:1–21, Jesus tells Nicodemus,
a Pharisee and teacher of the law, that “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are
born again.” This was a radical statement, especially to someone steeped in religious tradition.
Scalzo (2022) explains that Jesus reframed familiar Jewish concepts—like wind, water, and Spirit
—to reveal the necessity of divine transformation. This passage has become foundational in my
understanding of calling: before we serve, we must be spiritually reborn.
Luke 14:26–27 emphasizes the cost of discipleship. Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does
not hate father and mother… yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
This isn’t a call to abandon love, but to prioritize Christ above all. Surrender is not optional, it’s
essential. I’ve had to lay down my past, my ambitions, and even my comfort to follow Jesus into
this calling.
1 Corinthians 12:14–18 affirms that each believer plays a unique role in the body of Christ. “The
body is not made up of one part but of many.” Paul reminds us that no part is insignificant. This
passage helped me realize that ministry is not about comparison or hierarchy—it’s about unity,
service, and love. Whether I’m counseling a couple, advocating for my daughter’s IEP, or writing
a devotional, I am part of the body, and my role matters.
2
Finally, 2 Timothy 1:9 declares that we are called “not because of anything we
have done but because of His own purpose and grace.” This verse silences the
voice of inadequacy. I am not called because I am perfect—I am called because
He is. These Scriptures form the backbone of my thesis: spiritual rebirth, surrender, and divine
equipping are preconditions for ministry.
Academic Integration: Tripp, Grudem, Veith, and Scalzo
Paul David Tripp’s Dangerous Calling (2012) has been instrumental in helping me guard my heart
in ministry. In chapter 8, he writes, “Familiarity is not the enemy of awe. Forgetfulness is.” That
truth pierced me. I never want to forget the miracle of my transformation or the grace that
found me at 30 years old. Tripp warns of the danger of arrival—the illusion that we’ve “made it.”
He writes, “Arrival is a myth. It’s a lie that leads to spiritual complacency.” These insights affirm
that ministry must flow from spiritual rebirth and daily surrender.
Wayne Grudem’s Bible Doctrine (1999) provides systematic theological clarity on calling,
sanctification, and spiritual gifts. He explains that sanctification is a lifelong process of being
made holy—a truth that resonates deeply with my journey. Grudem also outlines the role of the
church in confirming calling, reminding me that community is essential. His work supports the
academic foundation of my thesis and helps me articulate the layered nature of calling.
Gene Edward Veith Jr.’s God at Work (2002) expands the concept of vocation beyond church
roles. He argues that every aspect of lifework, family, and community—is a calling from God.
This aligns with my experience of ministry beginning in the home. Veith’s theology affirms that
raising children, supporting my husband, and advocating for my daughter are not distractions
from ministry—they are ministry.
Francis-David Scalzo’s dissertation, The Jewish Basis for the Born-Again Experience in John 3
(2022), offers deep exegetical insight into Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. He shows how
spiritual rebirth is rooted in Jewish tradition and fulfilled in Christ. Scalzo’s work grounds my
thesis in historical and theological context, affirming that transformation is central to calling.
2
Personal Narrative: Forged in Fire, Called by Grace
My calling was not born in a church pewit was forged in the fire of personal
struggle. I grew up in a home marked by emotional and spiritual neglect. The
only time I saw a Bible was in a hotel room, where someone tore pages from it to roll a joint. My
father drifted in and out of my life, and my mother, overwhelmed by grief after losing my sister
Daryll, turned to alcohol and despair.
I survived a tragic accident that claimed three lives, including Daryll’s. I was left behind,
abandoned in North Carolina place I was visiting. That one decision my sister made saved my
life. It took thirty years to understand that Jesus had been calling me all along.
Moments like rewinding a wedding scene on a VCR to write down the words “Love is patient,
love is kind” were seeds planted in my heart. I didn’t know they were Scripture, but they stirred
something holy in me. Daryll used to sing “Silent Night” to me, and I had no idea it was about
Jesus. Looking back, I see God’s hand in every chapter. Through Jesus, I’ve not only forgiven my
mother—I’ve thanked her. Those hardships shaped me into the mother I am today, and the
woman God is calling me to be.
My husband Lucas has been a steady confirmation of my calling. He saw beyond the wounds
and into the healing work Christ was doing in me. He reminds me daily how beautiful I am
becoming in Christ. His words, “Dill, it only gets better,” echo the hope I now carry into my
calling. Through marriage and motherhood, I’ve come to see that ministry often begins at
home.
God has used these roles to teach me grace, humility, and the power of love rooted in truth.
Conclusion: A Counseling Calling
Although my journey into ministry is still unfolding, I am increasingly drawn to counseling
families and couples who feel adrift. This longing was not born out of ambition, but out of
2
experience. I want to walk alongside the brokenhearted, not as an expert, but as
someone who has been there.
I do not want to counsel from a place of expertise, but out of humility forged in
brokenness. I needed wise mentors and compassionate companions to help me navigate
disappointment, misunderstanding, and the slow process of healing. My hope is to offer others
the same comfort and perspective I have received: to remind the weary that they are not alone,
that God is never far from the brokenhearted, and that restoration is always possible.
In this, I seek to embody the ministry of Christ—the One who meets us on the road, who speaks
gently to our wounds, and who restores us to ourselves and to one another. My calling is not to
fix, but to bear witness: to listen, to pray, to walk besides, and to trust that God does the
deepest work in the secret places of the heart.
2
Annotated Bibliography (APA Format)
Grudem, W. (1999). Bible doctrine: Essential teachings of the Christian faith.
Zondervan. Summary: Grudem presents a systematic overview of key
Christian doctrines, including the Word of God, the nature of God, humanity, Christ,
salvation, and the future. The book is a condensed version of his larger work, Systematic
Theology, and is designed for accessibility without sacrificing depth.
Evaluation: This resource is scholarly, biblically faithful, and widely used in evangelical
seminaries. It provides theological clarity and doctrinal grounding for students and
ministry leaders.
Relevance: Grudem’s theology helps frame the layered nature of calling and
sanctification, supporting the academic foundation of my thesis and affirming the
church’s role in confirming one’s calling.
Scalzo, F.-D. A. (2022). The Jewish basis for the born-again experience in John 3 (Doctoral
dissertation, Liberty University). https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/4069/
Summary: Scalzo’s dissertation explores the Jewish theological roots of Jesus’
conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. He examines Second Temple Judaism, Pharisaic
theology, and biblical symbolism to show how spiritual rebirth is both culturally
grounded and divinely revealed.
Evaluation: This scholarly work offers deep exegetical insight and is highly relevant for
academic theological writing. It bridges historical context with New Testament theology.
Relevance: Scalzo’s study grounds my thesis in biblical and historical context, affirming
that transformation is central to divine calling and spiritual rebirth.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). John 3:1–21; Luke 14:26–27; 1 Corinthians
12:14–18; 2 Timothy 1:9. Biblica.
2
Summary: These Scriptures highlight spiritual rebirth, surrender, and
divine equipping as preconditions for ministry. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus
and His call to discipleship form the backbone of what we now
understand as the Christian calling.
Evaluation: As Scripture, this source is authoritative and timeless. The NIV translation is
widely respected in both academic and pastoral contexts for its clarity and faithfulness
to the original text.
Relevance: These passages provide the theological foundation for my thesis, especially
the truth that one must be born again and fully surrendered before stepping into
ministry.
Tripp, P. D. (2012). Dangerous calling: Confronting the unique challenges of pastoral ministry.
Crossway.
Summary: Tripp explores the spiritual dangers of ministry disconnected from personal
intimacy with Christ. Drawing from personal experience and pastoral insight, he
addresses the emotional toll and temptations that can arise in vocational ministry.
Evaluation: This book is biblically grounded and widely respected in seminaries and
churches. It offers practical wisdom for leaders navigating spiritual burnout and identity
loss.
Relevance: Tripp’s work supports the thesis that ministry must flow from spiritual rebirth
and daily surrender. His warnings about complacency and “arrival” affirm the need for
ongoing sanctification.
Veith Jr., G. E. (2002). God at work: Your Christian vocation in all of life. Crossway. Summary:
Veith reclaims the doctrine of vocation, showing that every aspect of lifework, family,
and church—is a calling from God. Drawing from Reformation theology, he emphasizes
that Christian purpose is not self-driven but rooted in serving God through ordinary life.
Evaluation: The book is biblically faithful and traditionally insightful, offering practical
and theological guidance for understanding vocation in all seasons of life.
2
Relevance: Veith’s work affirms that calling includes everyday roles like
motherhood and marriage, reinforcing the thesis that ministry begins
with surrender and is lived out through service.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
