HELLO....

HAVE YOU ANSWERED THE CALL?

        In this era of social media and instant access to just about everything, the first thing just about everyone does when a phone call is received from a friend, loved one or client is to answer the call. If the received call goes to voicemail then depending on the urgency, we tend to return the phone call as quickly as possible if not almost immediately.  Not to worry, this blog does not focus on the receipt or non-receipt of an urgent phone call.  I would however like you to pause for a moment to answer the following questions truthfully:  Have you answered the necessary call from our Father in Heaven? What has God called you to accomplish for his glory in the kingdom that you have yet to fulfil? Is it a call to serve in your local church or community? What about the vision He gave you to write a manuscript or pursue adoption so a deserving child can fulfil their potential in a family unit and ultimately in the kingdom. 

          Let us consider for a moment Jonah whom the Lord gave direct instructions to get up and go to the great city of Nineveh to announce his judgment because of all the wicked things the people were doing there. Jonah did get up alright but instead of answering the call from the Lord, he got up and headed in the opposite direction.  You know the rest of the story, Jonah boarded a ship and the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea causing the unbelieving captain to awaken Jonah from his slumber and ask him to “Get up and pray to your god!  Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.” Eventually Jonah was thrown overboard and he spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish before being spit out and answering the call of the Lord.  The moral of Jonah’s experience here is that we should all answer the call to obedience the first time not when tragedy strikes in order for God to get our attention.  The promises of the Lord for all who obey him and follow his commands are Yes and Amen!

          I remember not too long ago when I ran away from God’s call to write a manuscript based upon my personal testimony to share with others.  The Lord spoke to me through Trey (my brother-in-law) amidst really difficult circumstances because I was in the middle of a terrible divorce and my younger brother had suddenly died all at the same time.  No one but God kept me together during these times.  I remember him impressing upon me to write a book because so many people stood to benefit from my story of survival. I responded by sharing how I really was not that keen on putting my personal business out there on paper for all of front street to read about it.  Honestly, I ran from the call to write for about 6 months but all the while the Holy Spirit kept urging me to get my act together and start writing!  Now for me, the call to write would happen during the midnight hours when my two daughters were asleep because I worked full-time Monday through Friday.  But God gave me the grace, mercy, words and testimony to keep right on going.  So many people began to encourage me along the journey, the Lord even brought people for me to encourage during the process. 

       Dear friends remember, on the other side of your obedience are people desperately waiting to experience manifestation of the gifts that God has placed inside of you!  We are all uniquely equipped by the power and call of Jesus to complete every task assigned to us.  Do not waste time talking yourself out of what God called you to do.  Answer the call obediently, I promise you God’s blessings will ultimately chase you down.  In Matthew 28:19 – 20 Jesus issues a mandate to “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age.” (NLT) God does not call the equipped based on their qualifications instead he bestows his power on the called. We are all called to accomplish his purpose for our lives and for his glory! You were made for such a time as this.