Fearlessly CourageousDesk of Dennis Piller4 19 2023
Click for Audio VersionWhat does it mean when God calls a man?
You mean where am I to serve in the church or use the gifts God gave me to help feed the poor or single moms or…. (Wait…I don’t even know what my gifts are!First off, God calls you to become the person He created you to be and to do the things He designed you to do. He will partner with you as you prayerfully move forward. Has this even been a purpose of prayer for you in recent memory? Have you inquired of the Lord about this? Does being a part of a family require me to do my part?
This process is a spiritual journey in which you will learn new things about yourself and about your relationship with the Lord! We grow up in Christ along the way. Did you know that although you may be more mature in age that God can change your assignment? Yes, ask you to do some different things that could be out of your wheelhouse. Have you asked lately?
You must be kidding me. I'm in my 60’s or 70’s I will leave this to the younger people with strong legs. So Abraham was 99 when God called him. But you may say, I have never heard the calling or seen the lights and the arrow pointing this way. I have never been comfortable doing stuff like that. Isn't believing in God enough?
Yes I know Moses got a burning bush and a voice that caused the earth to tremble. Saul saw lightning on his way to Damascus and was struck blind. That really got his attention. But we say, I didn’t see or hear anything and I don’t know what to do. What is my calling? Can you give me a job description and some 12-step plan to pull this off?
He didn’t say to follow this plan. He doesn’t want you to trust the plan he wants you to trust Him. But I'm a person who likes to know where I’m going and what’s next. Jesus said to follow me!
So let's examine Moses' path. God didn’t tell Moses that Pharaoh wouldn’t let his people go or about the 10 plagues or that the Israelites would grumble all the way. He certainly didn’t tell him about 40 yrs in the desert or no water until he struck a rock or how about being backed up against the Red Sea Do you think if god had told Moses all of that he would have still gone? God purposely left out a lot of things. But I guess we need a special invitation. I know my mom use to tell me that as a boy. Dennis, what do you need… a special invitation to dinner?
So how chosen are we? 1 Peter 2:9-10. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.Invitation? God pours out his love on you. Dies for you…And your response is?Is it safe to say The Holy Spirit has engaged your heart? Changed your mind. Given you a heart of flesh vs a heart of stone to serve a loving God?
I understand wanting a plan or a template to move forward. So rather than just stepping out to help in the nursery, or as an usher or helping as a greeter, or doing some service work for single moms or the elderly, or the poor… we look for validation.
So we ask friends what are my strengths and weaknesses. Do you think I would be good at this? Am I good? We are looking for affirmation and validation for this call to action or that one over there.
The most important thing you can do is to take action. Everything that we do doesn’t work out to be a perfect fit but it is part of life’s journey that prepares us for where god will ultimately lead us. Often times those detours along the way, even those that didn’t work out, turn out to be major blessings and precious encounters.
I remember the scene in the Indian Jones movie, The Last Crusade when he is standing at the edge of the abyss and must take a step of faith to get to the other side. Instead of getting caught up in the uncertainty if this is Gods will or his specific calling…be faithful…do something…get involved. You will make discoveries along the road that God will use to shape you, change others, and prepare you for that ultimate destination, and this may only be a stepping stone to something else.
2nd Peter 1:5-9 “For this very reason, “make every effort” to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
