Tag Archives: Answering God’s Call

Called

Ordinary Time

January 15, 2022

Scripture Reading: John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

How do we know the right time to initiation our life’s calling?

  • Moses encountered a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-17),
  •  Gideon tested God twice before following God’s command (Judges 6:36-7:23),
  • Isaiah had a vision (Isaiah 6),
  • Jesus had a mother who was told by an angel who her son was, and she encouraged his stepping into that role (Luke 1:26-38).

These were all leaders whose works deserved recording in the annals of history. However, each Christ-follower has at least one calling, likely many, from checking on the sick to donating food to a pantry or working for justice for all God’s children. Each person is gifted with skills to foster the Kingdom of God on this earth. Answering our calling and supporting others in theirs are critical elements to enabling a world ruled by God’s love. We must keep our whole beings open to hearing our calls and answering them.

Prayer: Grant us each the strength and courage first to hear your call and then answer it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Conquering Self-Doubt

Living in the Spirit
June 6, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 138

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
   you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
   and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
   your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
   Do not forsake the work of your hands.
–Psalm 138:7-8

Do I have enemies? Who are my enemies? I encountered in my life a few folks who at the least wanted to shut me down in attaining my life’s aspirations that I saw as my calling in Christ. One or two succeeded in sidetracking me making me reevaluate my call and reassess my trajectory. That said, most of my enemies are from within. I identify with Gideon*. He was a farmer’s son when the Israelites were being overtaken by neighboring tribes. The angel of the Lord visited him and essentially assigned him to lead the people against their enemies. Gideon to say the least, thought God had the wrong person. He asked for a sign and got one. Still wavering he asked for a second sign and got that too. He eventually led the Israelites out of their situation.

I like to think I am not very different from most folks who struggle with self-doubt. Reading the finality of the statement The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; from the scripture above gives me pause. God wants us to succeed in what he equipped us to do at our creation. The Psalmist, like Gideon, eventually accedes to the will of God and prays that God not forsakes the works of God’s hands. We are the work of God’s hands. Nothing we ever do in answering God’s call to serve is done without God’s help.

Prayer: Creator God, do not forsake the work of your hands as you give me the courage to answer your call to serve. Amen.

*Judges 6

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

G

No Excuses

Jeremiah's CallLiving in the Spirit
August 15, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you. –Jeremiah 1:4-7

“I am retired. The younger generation needs to take over.” “I must make a living. I’ll do that when I am retired.” “We raise children. We don’t have time for anything else.” Jeremiah said, “I am only a boy” when called to serve in the Kingdom of God and God did not accept his excuse. My mother set the example of answering God’s call in every aspect of her life. As children, she incorporated us in her service, and it became our service. Even as a 95+-year-old in a nursing home, she had an active prayer ministry. The success of the kingdom of God depends on each and every one of us doing our part. No one retires from this calling.

Jeremiah faced serious discord and challenges in his response to God’s call. Written off because of his age, he had to work harder than some just to get people’s attention. When caught in such circumstances, one must have confidence in the call as well as the message and that demands a deep and abiding relationship with God. It also requires that we learn from mistakes we make and rectify any to the best of our ability. We may have to seek other ways of being active in our ministry, gain new skills, or refocus on new endeavors. Quitting is not an option.

Prayer: Lord, walk with me throughout my ministry. When I falter, lead me forward. When I need encouragement, send a messenger with a word of hope. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.