Called
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” …11But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:4, 11
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went way sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:22
There are numerous callings in the Bible, each of them unique in its circumstances, importance (from our point of view), and style. God called Moses using a burning bush, He called Samuel as a voice in the darkness, the young ruler above was called by Jesus. Never does God call in a way we expect and never is it “typical”. And when HE calls He does not just tell us to go along with the little things that we think are important in our lives. No, His ways are much bigger than that. We are each called and it is never into our comfort zone.
He may call someone who has said never about homeschooling to do it. He may call someone who has said never to public school to do it. He may call someone who has said never to secular work to do it just as He may call someone who has said never to ministry to do it.
The thing is we may have said never but He has been preparing us for that very thing. I mean really–where did Moses get off saying he couldn’t possibly be the right one to go to Pharaoh. I mean, he grew up in the palace. Of all the possible Israelite candidates to approach Pharaoh, wasn’t he the right one?
When God calls anyone then that person has been and will be prepared for the task–regardless.
The problem is that when we feel the call we panic. We insist (maybe I am just speaking for myself here) I insist that I can’t possibly. It looks too hard. I don’t know how. I can’t do it. Are You sure You want ME?
I, like Moses and the young ruler, am tempted to turn away, say I can’t do it, run in the other direction. God won’t let me. He knows His plans for me and knows what He has trained me for, just as He knows His plans for you and knows what He has trained you for. Just as your burning bush isn’t like Moses’, your call isn’t like his, or mine.
He has an awesome plan for you, just be ready when He calls. It won’t look like you think it should and it will seem scary but the God of the universe knows how He has trained you and knows the very hairs of your head. He knows His plans for you and they are awesome!
God of Heaven and Earth, we come humbly before you in praise and thanksgiving, knowing that You have an awesome plan for each of us and our families. Lord we place our own plans in Your hands and ask that You would give us the faith to follow You when You call us. Help us to know Your voice and be prepared to go and do that which You have called us to.
So, what is your call? How did He call you? How is it taking you out of your comfort zone (it is good to know we are not alone. Please feel free to share.)
Here I am Lord, here I am.
I think for me it was getting up the nerve to get serious about writing. To open up my mouth and say, “I’m a writer,” instead of, “I’m a wannabe writer.” It was puttting my stuff out there to be accepted or rejected, loved or laughed at. Now, it’s being discaplined in daily writing, self-controlled about email/blog addiction that wastes my writing time, seeking God about what to write, being willing to bear my soul for His glory. I’m loving this journey. It’s exciting to know God gave you a calling and the tools to carry it out. Amazing that He uses us at all.
Heather,
This post is exactly what I needed today. We care called and it is never in our comfort zone!!! Amen… I stand amazed at how God has called me to serve… ways that far exceed my wildest dreams. God is good. He is scary sometimes, but ALWAYS good, ALWAYS faithful.
I can’t wait to see what is up next in His plan. Be blessed, loved this post!
Thanks Heather, for this wonderful post!!! I was one of those who said “never” to the ministry. About 5 years ago, my husband began wrestling with the call to preach. He has been very successful in his career as a Computer Programmer/Developer (I am a SAHM), and we were VERY MUCH in our comfort zone. Two months ago, God ROCKED OUR WORLD at a church Leadership Conference, and WE SURRENDERED!!! I can’t tell you how awesome it feels to say “Here am I Lord, SEND ME!!!”. God is making new opportunities available every day, and we are learning the art of “Trust and Obey”. And although we have been called out of that comfort we have become so used to, I can tell you this…we have never been more hopeful, and full of joy!!
God is calling me to leave my comfortable established home, friends, adult children, church of 18 years to move to a different state with my husband. My husband’s field of work has limited opportunities in the Seattle area right now so he had to take a job in Southern California. I’ve been doing a dance between the two states but I am being called to take the leap and move myself more permanently. This is hard. I’m in my fifties and the idea of building new friendships etc. is not easy. God is good and He fills my days with joy and He’s teaching me that I can trust Him with my unmarried young adult children that are living in our home in Washington. God certainly loves me not to let me get set in my ways. This is a good thing. I don’t want to be an old retired lady. I want to finish the race at least at a fast paced walk! Oh He’s also teaching me contentment in my tiny one bedroom condo in California. Sorry for going on and on. Blessings on you for this post and your blogs faithfulness to the things of the Lord.
For me, it was a call to confess my past to my husband AFTER 10 YEARS OF MARRIAGE so the chains of shame and regret and fear could be gone! Since then, God has opened so many doors to minister to hurting women. And even though I played basketball growing up, I did not have a desire to coach a b’ball team. Now I help coach two girl’s teams, helping them make better choices at a young age so they won’t have the regrets I had.
For my introverted husband, it was to leave his job (I am a SAHM) and start a new company from nothing! Talk about getting out of a comfort zone. From both of us working, to me coming home (living on 70% of our income), to him quitting his job and starting a new company (living on 30% of our original income) But God is faithful, and we’re living a life that I didn’t even know existed!
This is so funny. I was just thinking yesterday about how I couldn’t understand why Moses was mighty in word and deed while he was in the Pharoah’s palace but yet when God “called” him, he became a chicken!
I just wrote about what I feel is my “calling” and how God equips the called (from He 13:20-21) in my post today. Isn’t it always interesting how sometimes we read posts that are so related to what God is saying to each of us individually on a particular day? Let’s all step out of our comfort zones together! We’ll all be a little frazzled, but God will sure do some mighty works! 🙂
As my hubby always says “never say ‘never’ to God, He might just call you on it!”
So wonderful a post!
He has a awesome plan for me. But I have to wait for his time to fulfill his plan. Sometimes it is easy for me to say to Lord” what? when? it seems I am in a hurry condition, I need you to fulfill my plan…? ”
Ohh…..I really need to kneel down to him and say:” I will wait for you and accept your plan for me full of hope.” Except this way,no way out….
Praise the lord!