Today want to take a few moments to consider the call of God. A.R. Bernard said “Our life is our gift from God, what we do with it is our gift to God.” God has a special plan for each and every one of our lives, and discovering that plan and fulfilling our God given destiny is what I believe the Call of God is. God’s call is something I believe weighs on us at times and we sense God’s heart for it; it’s all part of the Divine purpose and destiny God has for our lives.
My mentor, in the ministry, explained to me that the best way to know what you are called to is to consider what you are most passionate about in life. For me, it’s winning precious unsaved people to Christ; for others, it’s business, the creative arts or some other field of endeavor. Olympic Champion and subject of the great movie “Chariots of Fire” Eric Liddel said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
Because of his incredible talent, Eric had the ability to run and be a witness for Christ. He felt God’s pleasure when he moved into his destiny. He later went on to serve God on the mission field in China. Sometimes God’s call on our lives can utilize our natural talents and abilities; sometimes the call comes with a supernatural gifting and equipping.
Many times God will place a supernatural passion within us that burns like a fire, only to be satisfied when we move in the direction God has called us to. Jonah was called to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance, he ran from that call and ended up in the belly of a whale! God has his ways of moving us, persuading us and helping us move in the direction He is calling us!
I want to take a few moments to consider the call of God to Elisha. The Bible tells us in 1 Kings 19:19-21 “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha, son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.”
Elisha’s call mirrors Jesus’ call to his disciples. Jesus came to Peter and Andrew who were fisherman, “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Elisha had thrown his cloak over Elisha, this cloak represented his prophetic ministry and mantle that fell on Elisha when Elisha was taken to heaven.
God was passing the ministry baton from one generation to the next. The mantle of miracles and prophecy impacted Elisha life in such a way that he immediately began to dismantle the constructs of his old life and began to embrace the new. Elisha must have heard the stories of the great Prophet Elijah calling down fire from heaven and challenging the spiritual and political order of the day. He had seen this great Prophet walk in the miraculous. He knew it was his time to begin his life of supernatural ministry and trusting God for his supernatural provision.
Elisha said goodbye to his family and his old way of living! He slaughtered his oxen, used the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and then fed the people. Elisha burned his bridges. He put all His eggs into one basket. He had no plan B; he saw his opportunity and he wasn’t going to miss it!
Elisha had to learn how to live supernaturally. He had to learn how to hear the voice of God. He had to trust that with the call, came the means to sustain the call. And God did sustain him. Even when we struggle with the things God calls us to do, He is still faithful to us! I love the story of Peter. He had denied Jesus three times, Jesus had been crucified and then Peter decided to go back to what he knew best, he decided to go fishing.
John 21:2-6 tells us: “Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
Peter had lost all hope. Jesus had died and he was doing the only thing he knew to do. He was a strong leader, and all of the other disciples naturally followed his lead to go fishing. Jesus had a work to do on Peter, because he was going to influence and lead so many. Peter had fallen and Jesus was working on restoring him back to a place of supernatural ministry.
How did Jesus bring Peter to repentance and restoration? He began showering him with His goodness, kindness and overflowing provision. He was in effect saying, Peter if you come back to following me and serving me, your nets will always be overflowing; you will see the supernatural goodness and provision of God in your life. The goodness of God leads us to repentance!
(Romans 2:4)
The call of God is a curious thing. I have personally found it’s only when I know God is happy with me that I have found true happiness. Finding and fulfilling the call of God on your life is the most wonderful rewarding and fulfilling thing in life you will ever experience!
Sometimes we don’t follow God’s call because of the fears we have. Today I want to encourage you, never let fear decide your fate. Trust the leading of God and take that step of faith. Don’t live a life of regret. Follow your heart and the leading of God, He will take care of you!
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