Called to Serve, Part 2 October 31, 2011
God’s call is not a feeling.
There, I did it. See the blood dripping on the groundthere? My fault. Sorry. I just knifed a sacred cow, and now I’m waiting for itto bleed out.
The thing about sacred cows is that they really do needto die; it’s just not pretty when it happens. They are a distraction whilethey’re alive. They consume resources that could be used for something moreimportant. Sometimes they even become a menace, trampling crops and threateningpeople. Obviously, they need to die. But people get attached to them. They feelsafe as long as the sacred cow is around. So they don’t take it kindly when youstick a knife in their cow’s neck. But they’re always better off in the longrun.
The sacred cow I’m after is the one branded “God’scalling = a deep and mysterious feeling.” God’s call is not a feeling.Biblically speaking, God calls people 1) to Himself and 2) to obedience.Salvation and service. And here’s the key point: Both come to us throughHis word, the Bible. People don’t get saved through a deep andmysterious feeling; they hear the gospel and obey it. Similarly, Christiansdon’t move into service because of a deep and mysterious feeling; they hearGod’s word and obey it.
But if God’s calling is not a deep and mysteriousfeeling, how can you tell when He’s summoning you to something specific? Takemissionaries, for example. Did God call the Jeffryes to India?There’s no verse in the Bible with their name in it. So how do they know Godhas called them to India?
First, His word. Jesus says, “Go and make disciples.”They obeyed.
Second, their spiritual overseers. The Bible says,“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over yoursouls” (Hb 13:17). They said “India?”and their elders said “We’re with you. Go for it.”
Third, need. Jesus’ typical pattern for ministryinvolved seeing a problem and responding to it. That’s oversimplified, but itfairly represents how the gospels explain His actions. Ministry happens whereyour resources meet the world’s need.
Finally, spiritual gifts, abilities, personality, andstuff like that. Form matches function. God made you that way for a reason.
That’s it. Don’t wait to feel called! Just obey theBible, listen to your elders, respond to need, and do what you can.