What I’ve Learned So Far
Has God placed a call on your life lately? If so, how have you responded to that call?
I used to think that God would call me to some kind of “exciting” ministry role where I could really shine, working within the skills, gifts, and talents he had given me. As such, I looked for opportunities to serve in the areas I felt I was gifted. To be honest, I had a filter through which I put “God calls” and if I deemed, they fell into the “me being grossly unqualified” category, I would ignore the call chalking it up to my imagination or a misunderstanding. I’m ashamed to say, I once went a whole year ignoring a call God had placed on my heart.
It turns out, I’m in good company when it comes to ignoring God’s call. Of course, “good” being an oxymoron, but it is a common response in scripture. Take Jonah for example. God called him to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the Ninevites. Jonah was afraid because Nineveh was a terrible place filled with people known for their evil ways and brutality. Jonah didn’t only ignore God’s call, he fled in the opposite direction from Nineveh trying to escape God.
Can you see the pattern in my life and Jonah’s in our responses to God?
Well, if you’ve read the Old Testament book of Jonah, you know that Jonah did not outrun God (If you haven’t, I encourage you to read it. It’s just four short chapters!). After being swallowed by a whale, Jonah prays to God and after three days God commands the whale to spit Jonah out. Jonah then obeys God, not without complaining, and goes to Nineveh. Similarly, after a year of ignoring, I too obeyed God’s call on my life, also with some kicking and screaming, so to speak.
You see, I’ve learned that often, I find myself being called to something for which I am totally unqualified. Scripture reminds me that it is not about me.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 “When I came to you brothers, I did not come to you with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I was resolved to know nothing when I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith may not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”
I’ve learned that God doesn’t give up on his call on my life and it is impossible to hide from him.
Psalm 139:7-12 “Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for the darkness is as light to you.”
I’ve learned to just say “yes” because God equips me with all I need to carry out his call. Even so, I might still be a little nervous, but I know God is faithful and will not leave me to my own devices.
Hebrews 13:20-21 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”
Lastly, I’ve learned to expect and anticipate a call from God now and then, knowing that I will be blessed, and my faith strengthened through my obedience to that call.
Back to the initial question - Has God placed a call on your life you’ve been ignoring or running from? Is it a call to forgiveness, or reconciliation; a call to witness to a family member or neighbor; or to serve in some way either inside or outside of the church?
I pray that you can learn from Jonah and I today in the reading of this, and if need be, to say “yes” to God’s call upon your life. I can say, with confidence, you will never regret it!
Continued blessing on your journey!
Gina Stewart, KH Elder
