Answering God’s Call

September 2017, Alice and I boarded a plane to Haiti and officially began an adventure only God could have started.  We spent several months raising support and packing up everything we might need for an extended stay in another country, and saying goodbye to family and friends.

The reason?  We were obeying the Lord’s call to follow Him wherever He goes and to do whatever He wants us to do.  That’s a call every follower of Jesus has received.  Actually, this journey began in 1996 and led us to Georgia, Missouri, Alaska, India, and now Haiti.   

Looking back on our lives, we are amazed at how God has equipped us, from skills to practical resources to ministry vision, for this call on our life.

Hebrews Chapter 11 is one of the great chapters in the Bible.  When we read about Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Samuel, and the prophets, they all had one thing in common, they answered the call!  Common sense tells me that God had probably called others, but they refused to answer His call.  The Bible tells us that “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

We must be willing to answer God’s call when it comes.  Noah answered God’s call to build the ark. Abraham answered God’s call to leave Ur.  Moses answered God’s call to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.  There are three basic elements in answering the call of God.  First, you must know God.  Second, you must respond by faith.  And last, you can’t turn back.

You must first know God in an intimate way.  When God has a special job to do, He calls someone that He has a relationship with.  He knows each one of His children intimately.  He knows our strong points, our weak points, and what we are capable of.  God knows better than you do what you can accomplish.

Never forget, God calls us for a specific purpose at different times in our lives based on His plan.  He will never ask you to do something that He hasn’t equipped you to accomplish.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Once God calls us, we must respond by faith.  Faith is not a blind leap in the dark, but a trust in God.  When God called Abraham, he left obediently, not even knowing where he was going.  He trusted God.  James 2:17 tells us that, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead.”

In talking of Abraham, James said that “You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.” (James 2:22) But once you hear God call you, and you respond by faith, you cannot then turn back.  Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62) Once you answer the call of God, you will be attacked by Satan.

There are some sad examples in scripture of those who heard, responded by faith, and then turned back.  John Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but turned back. Demas, a co-laborer with Paul, is said to have deserted Paul because of his love for the world. Answering the call of God is not easy, but God will make you acceptable to stand the attacks and follow through.

Hebrews 11:13-16a says, “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one.”

“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16b)  These men and women of faith never turned back because they realized there was no place to turn back to!  Peter said it best when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” (John 6:68b)

I pray that today you will be inspired by these words, inspired to develop that close, intimate relationship with God, so that you will be available for His use.  I pray that you will develop the faith to answer His call when it comes.

I pray that you will answer that call by faith.  For our purpose in this life is to serve and glorify Him. Take your mind off of your desires, your goals, and your will, and focus instead on His desires, His goals, and His will.

The big question is, “Are you willing to answer God's call?”