10/04/2024 – Lord, Are You Calling Me?
In the church today many feel that there is but one calling and that is to become a pastor, or in another form, a missionary. Today let's contemplate that thought process and ask ourselves if we have received a calling, and determine what it truly is.
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38 KJV
God is multifaceted and exhibits this to us each and every day as we learn more about His creation, and also in how He deals with us in every aspect of our lives and faith. As seekers of Him, we can easily become overwhelmed by His vastness and this makes it easy for us to focus on some small portion of who He is as we try to understand and define Him. Unfortunately, as the limited beings we are, none of us will be able to grasp Him fully, and if we don’t ask Him to reveal His will to us, we can miss what He is asking of us.
I am reminded of the three blind men and the elephant. Each was asked to describe an elephant and as the three stepped forward and felt a different part of him, a leg, the trunk, his side... this is how each man perceived the elephant in its entirety. We are inclined to do this with God, and then we argue about who He truly is. Sadly, we are all right, and all wrong.
God's calling is much the same way. In our attempt to understand what God calls us to do it is easy to latch onto a single scripture or a few verses and say... "This is what a calling is." In fact there are many callings in the church, just as Jesus told us that there are many mansions in his father's house.
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:2-3 KJV
So what are some of these callings? Well, most certainly there is the call to pastor or preach, but there is also a call to prophesy, to pray Intercessory prayer, to heal, to comfort, to provide, and many, many, others. Just as I hear some believers try to limit the calling of God to pastoral work, there are others who try to limit His callings to the mercies described in Matthew 25:35-36, or the offices within our individual churches, but these inclinations need to be resisted. Our God is unlimited and the needs of His kingdom are boundless... as are His callings to meet those needs.
There are grand callings like the call Moses received, or the seemingly very specific callings like Rahab the prostitute who was called to hide Joshua's two spies...
“But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.”
Joshua 2:6 KJV
God makes provision through those He calls for a purpose. Even in pastoral work, there are those who spend a lifetime in a small church and others who serve an entire country, or the world. Our calling might be large or small; it might be the leg of the elephant or the tail, but rest assured they are all part of the same elephant... all part of God's plan. For us to feel proud of the scope of our calling is shameful... after all, what have we that God hasn't given us?
So be still in your prayer closet and listen for God's voice. You will certainly be asked to serve His kingdom in some way. While praying for your child's teacher you may be asked to mentor a student who is falling behind in their studies, and later find you have won their soul to God. While praying for the hungry, you may be asked to feed a man who later finds God through your kindness. Or, you may be asked to come down from the mountainside and lead a wayward nation through the desert.
Callings are many, so listen intently and be patient. In the enormity of God's kingdom there is a place, or places, for you, and those who are waiting for you to be called are praying for you to hear God's voice.
Lord, we pray for your call. Father, we ask that you reveal your will to us, and give us the strength, courage, and ability to accomplish your desires. In your calling, let us find immense joy, and a satisfaction in our serving you. Holy Father, call us, and lead us, as we advance your kingdom.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling us into your service, whether that be great or small in the eyes of men. Thank you for humbling us when we need it, and giving the grandest tasks to men like Moses, of whom scripture says that he was very meek; more than all people on earth. Use us according to your desires Lord, and teach us not to take personal pride in it, or question you in the calling we receive. If as a rich men we are told to wash the feet of the poor, teach us humility, and how to kiss those feet as you do. If we are poor and are told to go before the pharaoh, give us enough faith in you to overcome our doubt, and to know that we can do your bidding there. Help us Father to hear your calling for us, and to do those things without question, and for your glory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls each according to your will, and gives every man all that he needs to accomplish the task you have set before him. Merciful are you who humbles the rich, and challenges the poor and downtrodden. You are full of grace Lord and transform sinners into saints to be used in your holy endeavors, and cause the righteous to suffer and fall that they might be humbled and returned to you as their souls are being saved. Wise are you who knows the importance of our obedience to your Word, whether humble or glorious, and sees not our achievements, but yours in us. We pray that you use the calling you have for us to save the souls of those who witness our servitude, and those we are meant to serve. We also pray fervently that our own soul will be saved in the process, whether from a fine house, or a lowly abode in a poor and filthy tenement, as we serve where you have placed us. Praised be your name Father, not for where we are in this world, but where we will be in heaven, after our service for you is complete here on earth.
Amen, Amen, Amen!
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”
Numbers 12:3 ESV
“But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.””
Luke 9:47-48 ESV
““ I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.””
Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 KJV
Rich Forbes