Father, thank You for the warmth and security of home. I realize that so many people in this world do not have one or the other or either. May I not take it for granted. May I be more open to sharing if the opportunity would arise or at the very least to help ensure that others can find those things, wherever they may be. Amen.
Mark 3:13-19 (<<click to read the passage)
“…Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.” v.13
The culture in which I was raised put great emphasis on being called – in my case it was a call to serve God in a ministerial capacity. Initially, I served as a full-time minister of music, and then as a full-time minister of music and youth.
There was a period of time where I was not serving in a church as a paid minister but worked for several years in a Christian bookstore. Did I stop abiding by my call? No, I still served faithfully, just in a different environment. We were active in local churches. In fact, after we moved, we were so involved in that second church that I was hired as their full-time children’s pastor.
I say that to say, if we are listening, we are all called of God. You don’t have to stand behind a pulpit or go to some far-off country to answer God’s call on your life.
Look at that list of men in verses 16-18. There were no scholars or men of high esteem or power. They were all just regular guys – fishermen, tax collectors, religious zealots, etc. They were regular guys who answered God’s call and with but one exception, all went on to serve Him in many capacities impacting literally thousands of people for the Kingdom of God.
And you can, too.
God uses us right where we are. Now he might call us to more training or education. We might have to relocate. But we most assuredly will not go it alone. He will be with us all the way!
Have you heard His call? And most importantly, have you answered it?
Feb 17th, 2019, Sun, 6:27 pm
