One of my favorite lines in Donita K. Paul’s Realm Walkers book series is, “The called must call upon the caller.” I don’t usually pause to ponder wording in the middle of an action-packed book, but this line left me thinking about what it means to be called.
When Jeremiah received his call to ministry, he protested—stating he was too young and couldn’t speak for God (Jeremiah 1:6). But then God gave him further details of the call and enlarged his vision for the ministry to be done (Jeremiah 1:7-10). Encouraged, Jeremiah faithfully followed God’s instruction to deliver a difficult message that would ultimately endanger his life and earn him the title of the weeping prophet.
Later, God redirected Jeremiah by giving him a new message of reconciliation and healing. In response to the prophet’s surprise at this different path, God said, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come” (Jeremiah 33:3). Without God’s direction for every step, the prophet could not have adequately fulfilled his life’s purpose.
Although we’re all called into being by God, only those who take the time to ask, seek out, and listen to His purpose for their lives have a chance of fulfilling it. None of us comes into the world with a complete picture of what God has called us to do.
As we continue into a new year filled with new challenges and prospects, let’s call on the One who has called us, that we may better know Him and His ways. In the spirit of Philippians 3:13-14, may we forget those things which are in the past and look forward to those things which lie ahead, and to which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 13:1–14:4
More:
Read Isaiah 55:6-9 for the prophet’s perspective on why it’s vital for you to seek God.
Next:
In what ways have you called on God for direction and guidance through life’s journey? How has life been different in those times when you sought God rather than pursuing your own agenda?
Gary Shultz on February 19, 2017 at 5:37 am
Hi Remi: It is interesting that God told Jeremiah his life was aimed at a work even from before his birth. Special purpose was fitted to Jeremiah’s life, beyond the norm. He was told he would be “bullet proof” during his ministry. However, he suffered greatly, and often his life seemed to hang in the balance. We have a promise, but as you say, “None of us comes into the world with a complete picture of what God has called us to do.” It would seem reasonable to me that if we are at times clueless, and that God has had a path for us from birth, physical and spiritual, we would do well to seek His guidance. God will probably not meet us some where and literately touch our lips, but we have a part in God’s plan and He wants us to listen. In doing so we fulfill His work and stand in the amazing satisfaction of doing God’s will, His way. We also have the witness of those like Jeremiah who obeyed and accomplished God’s great work. Thanks Remi.
remioyedele2015 on February 19, 2017 at 10:08 am
Amen, Gary!! Thank you so much for that in depth analysis. May God give us the grace to hang on and listen, rather than lose hope when things hang in the balance.
Be blessed,
R
don777 on February 19, 2017 at 9:26 am
What is God’s purpose for all of us? God Word says it best.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
remioyedele2015 on February 19, 2017 at 10:11 am
Hello Don,
Too often, we lean on our own understanding, which causes untold confusion, pain, disappointment. May God help us to truly lean on Him!
Be blessed,
R
pilong56 on February 19, 2017 at 2:47 pm
,We are pressing towards our dream which means we are getting to our goal of God’s grace,which comes from Philippians 3:13-16 we are getting toward our goal. it’s
His grace and his unconditional love not ours.We should try to trust and pray by God’s unconditional love not ours.
Love,Liebe,Sarang,Amore
Bobby.Park(The Son of the Late Pilong56)
minkjh on February 19, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Excellent question you pose Remi, concerning pursuing our own agendas. I’m using the plural here because we can have diverse agendas that are driven by the world and by our Christian walk. We can get into trouble when our quest for the temporal prizes of life far outdistances those of divine sanction. But we must also guard against overzealous and prideful behavior that comes from involving ourselves in areas of ministry for which we are neither gifted nor ordained by the Holy Spirit to lead, which can cause much frustration and angst within the Body of Christ.
hsnpoor on February 19, 2017 at 11:56 pm
Amen!