September 14, 2022

Genesis 12: 1 (NIV)

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him.*

Abraham was important because God chose him. Or was he chosen because he was important? We assume that when God chooses people it's because he knows what they can do and what they will do. Has God ever chosen someone who didn’t meet his expectations? Moses protested, and Jonah ran away; some of the prophets had rebellious moments, but all of them came through eventually. 

In the Bible, we read about a few special people who were called to fulfill a unique purpose. Moses and the prophets, as we have already mentioned; Mary (Luke 1: 26-38); the twelve apostles (Mark 3: 14-19); Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13: 2) – these are some of those whom God chose to perform a specific function. Where does that leave the rest of us?

Paul seems to put us in our place in I Corinthians 1: 26 and 27 where he says that not many of us were anything special by human standards when we were called; and that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Later, in chapter 12, verses 12 through 31, Paul rebuilds our self-esteem with his analogy of the body and how each part – even the uncomely ones – is important. We all have a role to fill, even if no one sees us doing it.

In II Timothy 1: 9, we read that we are called to a holy life. That may not seem like much compared to leading millions of people to the Promised Land, but in the light of Revelation 17: 14, it sounds pretty special: “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” A holy life sounds like a pretty special calling if it means we get to accompany the overcomer in his victory march!

This is our calling as faithful people, to be present as the body of Christ wherever people are.*