Calling

Romans 1:1-6

Paul is very certain of his calling to be an apostle, specifically called to preach the gospel of God. The hint of the gospel is seen as far back as the OT prophets and speaks about Christ - an earthly decendent of David - who was God's Son as evidences by his resurrection from the dead. It is in/under the authority of Christ that Paul now calls Gentiles to faith and obedience in Christ.
The plan of redemption was not a last minute reaction but was foundational to God's vision for humans. Christ's death did not take him by surprise and at no point did God have to improvise a "solution" to the "disaster." Even Paul's use of the word calling indicates that he is very aware of the sovereign plan of God in everything that is happening. He is called, as a part of God's plan, to call people (specifically the Gentiles) to respond to God's plan.
This echoes what Joanne shared with the staff this morning: where I am is the only place I can be in this moment and therefore it is the place I have been ordained to be. My role is to make the most of that opportunity (or calling, to use Paul's word). Even then, it is not me and my strength but as I rely on the teaching, guiding and reminding of the Holy Spirit.