How Do You Know When It Is Time To Go - And Will You?

If you have been reading these devotions for any time you know that our life is a nomadic one.  Gypsies for Jesus.  Our ministry is small and we are not fettered with debt and other financial obligations, well with the exception of a house in Alabama.  That means we can turn in any direction that God should point us in, quickly, and with little or no concern for earthly obligations.  When people talked to Jesus about following Him, He always said  - “Follow Me now and don’t concern yourself with the things of this world.”  In response to Pilate, Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world…”  (John 18:36) When God calls us, it is not as if He does not know our circumstance.  But it is our circumstance that is our first consideration.  There are a number of stories about Jesus earthly ministry that recount that response from people who said they wanted to follow him – “Let me first ….”  (Luke 9:59)

One of the problems with the American Christian Culture is that worldly obligations are of primary concern, just like it was for those men.  I have been contacted within the past week by two families.  One from Alabama and the other from Mississippi.  In both cases, they have told me that they felt the call of God and were directed to contact us about helping for a short time with our work here.  I responded by saying “Come on, we need the help now.” In both cases, they said that they could not do it now, but there were other considerations that had to be taken into account.  

If you are seeking the will of God and direction, you must be willing to go.  The world may say you are irresponsible – other Christians may say that as well.  What I say is – if it is God telling you to go, then not going is irresponsible – on a significantly higher level.  So the question becomes “How do you know when it is time to go?”

Dr. Henry Blackaby, co-author of “Experiencing God”, said that people knowing it is God telling them is not the problem.  Obeying what God told them is the problem. I asked the man from Mississippi if he was familiar with Henry Blackaby and he said “We are doing the Experiencing God study at church right now.”  So I shared what that study teaches about hearing God’s voice.  All of us are not called to “Go” – but all of us are called to “Be” and “Do”.  Whatever the level of your calling – Being a “Stay at home Christian” or to “Go and labor in the fields” we must have a willing heart.  The proof of a willing heart is obedience to God’s revealed will. Following God can be attractive – exciting even – but it is also demanding.  It means laying your life down -  your nets if you will. Without reservation.  

I gave a devotion to a group of U.S. Americans in Haiti some time back about this very thing.  I had been listening, meeting after meeting about how difficult being in Haiti was.  By definition serving in a third world country is difficult – very. So I told them that if God had not called them to be there – all of them said they were Christians – then they should go home.  You could have heard a pin drop.  Needless to say, I was not asked to give a devotion at another meeting.  Well, the same is true for the two families that talked to me.  Serving in a disaster area is very difficult.  If God has not called you to it – don’t do it.  I am not talking about volunteering for a week – even them most want to know they will have hot water and air conditioning.  But serving – full time.  Willing to commit your life to serving God – even in the hard places.  

Well ….. are you? CHARLEY