Hearing His Answers

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. I Thessalonians 5:24 (New American Standard Bible)

There are times I approach God’s Word with more questions than answers. My mindsets and patterns of thought can often be a hindrance to me. For the past few days I have struggled to grasp the concept of what is meant by God’s call. I can’t seem to wrap my mind around it and maybe that is because I have an idea of what I think His call would look like and thus I limit the size and scope of it.

I review the individuals in Scripture who had clear calls on their life. Moses was called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Joseph was called to preserve the life of a nation and God’s people during a famine. Esther was called to be a queen. Paul was called to take the gospel message to the gentiles and to write most of the New Testament. Jonah was called to deliver a message to the people of Nineveh. David was called to be king of Israel and the writer of the Psalms. Joshua was called to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. The list goes on and on. Callings. Specific assignments and life purposes. Chosen and equipped by God to carry out His plans and purposes.

This review brings me to some interesting conclusions. None of these individuals had a full picture of all God’s call would entail. Specific details were not always forth coming. It was often a day by day moment by moment leading. Obedience was necessary as was listening to God. Many were the times they felt ill prepared or ill equipped to fulfill the call but in the end they did it and they knew it was only by God’s grace. God’s call often included persecution, trials, and heartaches. The very prophets God called were often misunderstood and their messages resisted.

So this morning, I will take my questions and my confusion to God and let Him put my mind and my spirit at ease. Already He has begun to redirect my focus and my words. While I want to know WHAT His call on my life is, He wants me to know Him as the One who is calling me and the One who will bring that calling to pass. His call is not a one time event but rather a life time journey. To my question of “What is it I am called to do?” His answer is always, “Follow Me.” There will not always be specific details given but in His time and in His own way He will make clear the steps I am to take.

Father, You see the questions that line my face and heart. You detect the misunderstanding behind my words. I take comfort in the truth that You have called me and You will bring it to pass. May I hear those words often today. Amen.