God is Calling

Scripture:

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Devotional:

The great commission, most of us have heard or read it several times in our lives.  We tell ourselves and each other that we want to follow God where ever He leads.  But when it comes down to it how many of us actually follow through with our verbal commitments?  Don’t get me wrong.  Most of us believe we will and actually intend to.

Recently I have been faced with a decision to make.  It is a game changing event not just for me but it effects my family.  This not so simple decision can take me down two paths.  One is to continue to following God’s plan and be where He wants me to be.  The other is to try and do things on my own seeking my own path.  Listening to the world and the world views the choice is simple.  Listing to God and what His plans are is not so easy.  One thing to remember is that Jesus never promised a bed of roses.  He tells us to take up our own cross, Matthew 16:24.  Most of us would agree that God’s way is the best way.

What if the decision is not that clear cut?  What if your choices all look good and appear to be in a direction God is calling you in?  What do you do then?  We have all heard the advice to right down on paper the pros and cons, or the good and bad, for each choice.  After doing so we can get a better idea of what direction to take.  It is also wise to seek council.  The trick here is not to seek any council but Godly council from other with deep relationships with Christ.  Most importantly it is best to pray.  Yep simply pray. 

Ok now you might be thinking what does this have to do with the great commission.  Alright here is the tie in.  How does your decision stack up with what we know for a fact what Jesus tells us to do?  Will your decision be a step toward the great commission?  Will you be stagnant or do nothing?  Ok maybe you have several choices and you can see how each are viable.  Maybe this added factor can help you narrow your choices down.

I recently was offered a job.  Nancy and had been praying about it and we both thought it would be a good change.  One factor we looked at is the possibility of touching many people’s lives.  In the end though it just didn’t seem the right choice.  God had opened doors.  He showed how it would work.  He even left the decision to us.  Either choice would be good.  However, in the end we just felt staying with my current job seemed to be where God wanted us.  I can’t really say why or how but it just seems to be the right choice.  Sometimes the right choice could be one of two or three.  Maybe God says I can use you in either, you decide.  Sometimes He has a specific place or task for us.  Most of the time I feel it is somewhere in between.

One thing is for sure, the great commission is not about a job.  It is about sharing the gospel and helping others grow.  It is reaching out into your local community as well as going on overseas mission trips.  Ask yourself one question.  How am I living out Matthew 28:19-20???  The bottom line is that each one of us is called.  Some of us are called to places far away.  Some of us are called to our own backyards.  Then some of us are called somewhere in between.  Make no mistake God is calling each of us.  How will we respond…