02/02/2025
This morning we are contemplating how God calls us in our lives. These are mission(s) of faithfulness and service that God asks us to pursue and we are meant to be committed to. By obeying Him in this way we are wonderfully, and firmly within His will and desire. It is also true that the importance of a calling isn’t necessarily predicated on size, scope, or difficulty. Although many callings do stretch us beyond our comfort zones and capabilities, while some appear very small, and others are deemed to be more important by the world, they are all meant to glorify God. Like so many things involving God the large things are often small, and the small things are actually quite large.
I have been using Paul as my example over the past few days and today I would like to continue that trend. When Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he began by describing who he was. The first verse is the most revealing when he wrote...
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”
Romans 1:1 ESV
In this verse we learn that Paul is a servant, an apostle, but of great interest to us this morning is that His calling is to deliver the Gospel of God. If there is any doubt in his commitment to this calling he removes it in his letter to the Corinthians when he says...
"though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
1 Corinthians 9:16 KJV
Paul realizes the ramifications of being called; this is more than God saying "Hey Paul, if you want to, how about preaching the gospel?" No, Paul was selected specifically for this task and knew that it was what God desired of him. He also knew that by not answering this call he would be outside the will of God, and disappointing the Lord himself. It was a Holy undertaking and not of himself, but of God.
Callings are not the same as being led to accept Jesus as your savior and God as your one true God. That leading and act is foundational and the salvation that comes from it is simple and instantaneous. Oswald Chambers puts it this way:
"There is nothing easier than getting saved because it is God's sovereign work- Come unto Me and I will save you. Our Lord never lays down the conditions of discipleship as the conditions of salvation." - Oswald Chambers
No, discipleship comes after our salvation and salvation is not predicated upon it. There are many Christians that don't commit themselves to becoming disciples. However, if you do, then beyond becoming a disciple (or in Paul's case an apostle) there comes a calling... a service for God. This can be a short mission or a lifelong vocation, but it always comes at the will of God and is not subject to our personal desires.
Has God been dealing with you regarding something He wishes you to do? Is He calling you into His service in some capacity? Well, that leading can require much of you, but the rewards of serving God are life altering. Let's listen as Jesus describes what it takes to follow Him...
“Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 ESV
Several years ago I wrote about Oswald Chambers choosing to write this particular devotional message on this day. Here is what I wrote:
“Yesterday I received an email from a wonderful Christian friend after she had read our morning message. She wrote "I hope you don't get tired of "Thank You" e-mails. Thank you so much, Rich." To which I quickly responded "Thank you emails are always welcome. I turn right around and show them to the Lord!"... like Paul, I have nothing to glory of. My calling isn't my desire but of His will, and also like Paul I don't want to disappoint, or fail, my God.”
We should always perform our calling for the glory of God, and in some cases doing so might diminish us in the world’s view. We might suffer, become destitute, or lose something that the world values greatly, but as we do we will be blessed.
When God calls us to His service, He often uses skills we already have, but occasionally He calls us to do something way out of our comfort zone. The incredible thing about these particular callings is that He will change us to suit His purpose by giving us what we need to accomplish what he has asked of us, whether it is exceptional material provision, a previously unknown skill, or by otherwise changing who we are to accomplish His calling.
I marvel at Mother Teresa's calling and dedication to the way God had called her during her life. She began by simply saying "Yes" to God's beckoning, but then the Lord started to open doors, provide support, change her heart, and strengthen her faith as he called her to serve Him in the slums of India. In the end she had faced many obstacles that had previously been beyond her ability and in Christ she had conquered them all. She had undergone crisis of faith that brought her to her knees, and as she worked through all these hardships, they strengthened her relationship with God; a relationship that had grown beyond her wildest dreams, and through which she touched not only India but the world. Although she had suffered much in her life, God had blessed her continuously in faith.
When God calls us we can rest assured that He will provide, but we can also know that while serving Him we will grow in ways we never thought possible and be blessed in a manner that, when we began, would have seemed incredible, impossible, and unattainable to us.
If God is calling you, do not turn a deaf ear. By not answering God's call you might not lose your salvation.... but you will miss the amazing growth in your faith, and the joy of a relationship with Him that will be rewarding beyond your ability to fathom. When Jesus called his disciples they said "Yes" to that call, and they had no idea where it was about to lead them. Well, they probably had some ideas, but in the end their expectations and what God had in store for them were very different.
So, my advice for you today is this: Let God bless you by answering His call. It will astound you, change your life today, and for all eternity.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your salvation, and the many blessings in my life, but even as I study your Word and dedicate myself to your Son Jesus Christ, I listen for your call. Lord give me the strength of faith to answer your whispering voice, and to step forward when every worldly thing in me is questioning the wisdom of doing so. Let me trust in you and your promises. Father, encourage me and give me confidence as I place my faith in your ability to see me through every difficulty as I step outside my own abilities. If, however, my calling is one of simplicity, and appears unimportant, never let me lose sight of the fact that it is pleasing to you and truly monumental in service to your kingdom. There is nothing you ask of me that is frivolous or without purpose... even if it is only to strengthen my patience and dedication. So many others have answered what appeared to be insignificant callings and have been led by you into your service… lead me today. If you call me to fall to my knees and wash the feet of the homeless and strangers then teach me to do so joyfully. Show me that washing feet can save souls in a way that amazing sermons cannot. Use me as you see fit Father and lead me, Lord Jesus. You have called me to yourself, now call me to do your will, and into your service. I pray many things Abba, but none more fervently than this prayer in which I ask that you to use me and draw me closer to you. I thank you for answering my prayers throughout the years, and for using me as I pray today. I pray that all who hear me now will join with me by saying Amen to these words; to this prayer. Praised be your name Father and may all glory be yours, for Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you who loves the world, and has sent your Son Jesus Christ to redeem it. Send each of us who believe to do your will too… no matter whether your calling for us appears large or small find us longing for it.
Amen!
“And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:3-5 ESV
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Matthew 4:18-20 ESV
“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45 ESV
Rich Forbes