“And
I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” – Isaiah 6:8
I was listening to a former pastor speaking about his call away from being a pastor to a new work apart from pastoring. Although the details of journey and the focus of his new calling were different from mine, my heart resonated with his words. Then he said something that really caught my attention. “God said, ‘I didn’t ask you to be successful, I asked you to go.’”
In my experience, there are two reasons that keep Christians from yielding to God’s call. The first is that they are reluctant to leave what they are doing – the thing they know for something that is uncertain and perhaps less comfortable and materially secure. It could be a job, a lifestyle, a house, maybe even relationships. The second is that they consider their abilities in light of what God has called them to do and are concerned that they won’t be successful. And they are right in a way. What God calls you to is beyond your natural ability. For example, just because you teach in a school does not mean that you can teach spiritual truth. It is God’s Spirit that teaches spiritual truth through you. A teacher not called by God to teach can teach facts from the Bible but not covey spiritual truth in that teaching. That is not to say that God does not call secular teachers to be spiritual teachers, because He has, does and will.
My point is that when we say “yes” to God, we are saying “yes” to God’s plan, His purpose, His will. That God can use us any way that He chooses. Our part may not even be noticed by others. That is not the point of service.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2
Laying our lives down in light of what Jesus did for us. Letting God use us for His purposes. The outcome does not matter. The hardship does not matter. What you must leave behind does not matter. All that matters is yielding to the will of God for your life. God’s definition of success is obedience to His will. The world is interested on return on investment. Measures of effectiveness. How many people were converted. Numbers.
My brother, Don, gave me some excellent advice some years back. I have never been comfortable asking people for money to support our work in ministry. He said what I needed to do was “ask God and tell people.” Trust that God will move in the hearts of the people when I tell them what God has called us to do and what we are doing as we live out that calling. Is our life difficult? Of course it is. But where God guides, God provides.
You may think, “Maybe for you, but not for me.” A song verse just floated across my mind. “It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.” It is a mistake to measure your value to God’s purpose by considering the increase – the visible result of your service to God or the significance of the service that He calls you to. That is God’s choice. And your choice is to obey or not to obey.
One more song – “When we walk with the Lord In the light of His word What a glory He sheds on our way While we do His good will He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey. ”
I was listening to a former pastor speaking about his call away from being a pastor to a new work apart from pastoring. Although the details of journey and the focus of his new calling were different from mine, my heart resonated with his words. Then he said something that really caught my attention. “God said, ‘I didn’t ask you to be successful, I asked you to go.’”
In my experience, there are two reasons that keep Christians from yielding to God’s call. The first is that they are reluctant to leave what they are doing – the thing they know for something that is uncertain and perhaps less comfortable and materially secure. It could be a job, a lifestyle, a house, maybe even relationships. The second is that they consider their abilities in light of what God has called them to do and are concerned that they won’t be successful. And they are right in a way. What God calls you to is beyond your natural ability. For example, just because you teach in a school does not mean that you can teach spiritual truth. It is God’s Spirit that teaches spiritual truth through you. A teacher not called by God to teach can teach facts from the Bible but not covey spiritual truth in that teaching. That is not to say that God does not call secular teachers to be spiritual teachers, because He has, does and will.
My point is that when we say “yes” to God, we are saying “yes” to God’s plan, His purpose, His will. That God can use us any way that He chooses. Our part may not even be noticed by others. That is not the point of service.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2
Laying our lives down in light of what Jesus did for us. Letting God use us for His purposes. The outcome does not matter. The hardship does not matter. What you must leave behind does not matter. All that matters is yielding to the will of God for your life. God’s definition of success is obedience to His will. The world is interested on return on investment. Measures of effectiveness. How many people were converted. Numbers.
My brother, Don, gave me some excellent advice some years back. I have never been comfortable asking people for money to support our work in ministry. He said what I needed to do was “ask God and tell people.” Trust that God will move in the hearts of the people when I tell them what God has called us to do and what we are doing as we live out that calling. Is our life difficult? Of course it is. But where God guides, God provides.
You may think, “Maybe for you, but not for me.” A song verse just floated across my mind. “It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.” It is a mistake to measure your value to God’s purpose by considering the increase – the visible result of your service to God or the significance of the service that He calls you to. That is God’s choice. And your choice is to obey or not to obey.
One more song – “When we walk with the Lord In the light of His word What a glory He sheds on our way While we do His good will He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey. ”
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