How do we know when to
accept a call for help and when it is not the will of God for us?
We all know the story of Moses;
raised as an Egyptian, found out he was Hebrew, killed a taskmaster and was
banished for it only to return with a big triumphant roll for God!
Moses was talking to the
burning bush on a mountain; God was in the bush and asked him to, no called on him, to be the messenger to
his people who were living in bondage calling out to God for help. Moses felt incapable of the task yet; Moses
answered the call and the world as we know it has never been the same.
Jesus was hanging out at a
wedding with his friends when his mother Mary called him over to inform him that
the wedding wine was empty and being as the family was close to them it was up
to him to help out. He asked his mother “Woman what do you want from me?” when she asked him to help. Mary knew fair
well what she was asking for and she knew Him as more than just her son.
The next day there was a wedding
celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee .
Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.
The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him,
“They have no more wine.”
“Dear woman, that is not
our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
But his mother told the
servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Standing near by were si stone water
jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told the servants “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been
filled said, Now dip some out and take
it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
John 2:1-8
Jesus answered the call to
help.
He then went on to call
each of us to repentance.
I have come to call not those who think they are righteous,
but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32
Have you been given a call today and yet you are afraid to
accept it because of the work it will detail?
Maybe you know that if you answer the call to preach you will have to go
back to school to study the Bible more intensely? Or maybe you think if you
accept the call to begin praying daily interceding for those in need that you
will have to get up at 2:30 every night to pray for someone to be able to sleep
the night?
Maybe you are the one God called to bring food to the family
who is housing an extra family so that they can get things organized and set up
to survive on their own?
Think about it this way, if you do not accept the call who
will?
As I study the Word of God I have noticed that God called the
person whom He had planned to do something, and when He did no one else would
do.
In many cases the person did not feel they could do the task,
and yet as with Esther going before the
king taking her own life and those of the Hebrew people; she stepped out in
faith believing that she had to do the thing God was prompting her to do.
What I am trying to get across is this; God will not call you
if He is not ready to make you qualified to do the task at hand. God will not
call you if it is not your time.
Jesus turned the water into wine; even though he ‘as’ man,
thought it was not yet his time.
Moses was afraid he could not speak to Pharaoh and yet even
after the children of Israel
“But I can’t do that, I am dumb, I am lame, I am poor; I can’t answer a call of God to speak, to teach or to pray for someone else! What do I know? Who am I?”
You are a child of the most High GOD!
You are ‘the called’ and all things will work together for
the good of the Lord for those who are called according to His purpose.
If God gave it to you He as your rear guard has got your
back! He will give you the funds, the food, the words, the scriptures to share
with others in order to complete the task He has given you.
So, what are you waiting for? Step out !
Step out in faith: Faith is the
confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance
about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1
Step out in hope: For I fully expect and hope that I will
never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have
been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether
I live or die. Philippians 1:20
Step out in trust: Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding; in all
your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6
Step out in your calling
for God has you covered. He knows the plans he has for you! For I know the
plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you
a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will
listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you
will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I
will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home
again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-14
Let each of us choose to
trust Him to bring to us only the things He has planned, and let us pray for
the wisdom to know what is of God and what is of man. With God there will be
peace.
Dear heavenly Father,
direct our paths today and give us the words, the food, the clothing to do what
you have given us, thank you for choosing each of us today, in Jesus name,
amen.
Suggested
reading: Hebrews 11:1-40 Jeremiah 291-32, Philippians 1:1-30, Proverbs 3:5-8