Skip to main content

What’s your answer?

Jesus may not call you on the phone. But he calls you to be his follower and messenger just the same.

My call from Jesus came at a summer camp. I heard Jesus call me to follow him in life and service, through counselors who took God’s call to share faith seriously.
When Jesus calls you to live with him, to share the good news for him, and to die for him, what’s your decision, how will you answer?
Word
Most Christians don’t think of themselves as capable of seeing, hearing, and doing what great people of the Bible did. You just may not feel as equipped to know, or be convincing, or passionate enough for bringing others to Christ like the prophets or apostles.
It is really unfortunate, a scandal, and tragedy, when Christians feel that there’s only a few special people who are called, or able to answer to call to serve God. We forget that we are no different than the likes of Isaiah, Peter or Paul.
To the contrary, their life, faith, and witness to others serve as examples to us that God can use anyone, our particular gifts and even weaknesses, and change us through the experience of unexpected grace.
Connection
God can use every person, not just an Isaiah, Paul or Stefan, as an example to others for what God does when faith in grace changes one’s life.
Jesus calls you to be his disciple, his voice, sign, witness, fisher, apostle. That is, Jesus asks you to be his messenger. What is your answer?
When God calls you, and asks: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for me?” (Isaiah 6:8) You can answer: “Me. I will spread the message of your glory, grace, and my own example of how your love is making a difference in changing my life.”
Message
The good news is: God takes ordinary people like you and me, and gives us faith to be in awe, hope that changes our life, and love to be passionate about making disciples of others.
Jesus says to you: Hello, this is Jesus. I am calling to remind you that my grace is sufficient for you. Follow me in everyday life, and use your experience, gifts and passion as a faith witness. Can I count you in?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Renewing Confession

Procession of Clergy during an Ordination service. The church celebrates faith in Christ together. It is difficult for us to relate to biblical events like Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The words like Hosanna, and actions like riding on a donkey, are not exactly something we use or encounter today. Word If Jesus were to live today to tell us about God beginning to take charge of governing the world it would be all over Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. God’s representative might come riding on a bicycle instead in a limousine. And people would probably wave their cell phones to express their excitement. Followers of the new visionary leader would shout something like: ‘Hey, yo! Welcome the Boss from heaven! Get ready for some serious change!’ Connection So if it so happened that Jesus were to come through our town on the way to die and rise so we would be freed to live in God’s realm here on earth and forever in heaven, would you even notice, would you believe hi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Everyday Gratitude

The altar at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with donations for local food pantries. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. How do you celebrate the holiday? It’s well and good to be thankful for family and food on Thanksgiving Day. But as Christians we can show our genuine gratitude to a gracious God every day by 1. remembering to thank God for everything, 2. praying for those who are in positions of authority, and 3. sharing the gifts we have received with others in need. According to Matthew’s gospel, Jesus encourages us: “... do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ... But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (vv. 31, 33) God blesses us all in abundance. Let’s not forget to be thankful. And remember those who lack basic needs.
Post a Comment
Read more

Legacy of Love

What would you like your tomb stone to say about your life? I’ve been asking myself what I want my legacy to be. I want to make a difference, not for my own pride or benefit, but for God’s purposes and glory. Like bringing people to faith, or changing social problems. But that kind of legacy idea can become overwhelming and paralyzing. What if I fail? What if it becomes self serving? Word Perhaps that’s what Peter and the disciples felt too. But their perspective was changed on Easter. The risen Christ gave them a promise and challenge. Hear Jesus words to his followers then and now in John’s gospel from today’s reading: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus gave us a command. To love as he loved on the cross, to save all people and share life with everyone. That’s not easy. But comes from the gift of God’s love on the cross. Connection So, I don’t need an impressive ...
Post a Comment
Read more