Most often, believers have a misunderstanding of the call of God. Generally, every one of us is called from one degree to another. There is a general call as well as an individual call and appointments to different roles and functions, where some may be temporary or long-term. In all, there is the grace to carry us through each assignment.
According to :
““But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.””
We all have been called first out of darkness into God light- Jesus Christ for the purpose of fellowship. 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” When God calls, he appoints for the purpose of bearing lasting fruits. John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” It’s not a show, as for those who have been called, it’s an opportunity to welcome the grace at work within us so that we are transformed into God’s image. Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
The call of God is not based on what we are good at doing or human effort, else we will be taking credit every day or feel disappointed. Exodus 4:10-12 “10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”. The call of God is based on grace extended upon the inadequate and limited man. When God called Moses, he listed all the reasons why he cannot be used by God. We can see our limitations, but God sees our potentials. We cannot see our failures or inadequacies, but God sees successes and effectiveness. It’s about what God can do with us and through us and nothing about what we can do for God. We are only vessels and all we must do is to present the vessel before God and he will shape it, filled it, and use it for whatever he wants.
We cannot be ashamed of our calling to serve God in any capacity. God has first called us to be holy and not per our own enablement but by the grace in Christ Jesus. It is through this; we have received our different duties to serve in God’s kingdom. We must come to the place where we are personally convicted and not doubt God. 2 Timothy 1:8-12 “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”
Every believer in Christ has also been called, anointed, and empowered into a communal assignment- wining souls as well as given the authority over all sickness and demons. Luke 9:1-2 “1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. Matthew 28:18-20 “18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
When God calls, he separates from any form of distraction or something that may pull us back into the formal ways or place. Genesis 12:1-2 “1Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”
When God calls, he equip for the task. We read here (Acts 2) how the disciples were empowered by the promised Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 2:1-4 “1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
When God calls, we answer and fellow him daily without delay. Luke 9: 23-24 “23 Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” And following him means walking in the light. John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When God called Elisha, he ran after Elijah, took his oxen and slaughtered them. This was sign of total surrender, total relinquishing of his rights and formal ways of life, taking on a new way, following God with everything without distractions. 1 Kings 19:20-21 “20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.
We must go through a test for God’s to pour his oil on us for any given assignment. In 2 Kings 2: 1-18. We see how Elisha was tested three time and he passed all the test, God released the anointing to serve upon him. These are the spiritual significance of each test. 1. Gilgal: Rolling away- removal of shame, old self, rolled away the reproach of Egypt, transition- Walk by faith in the new not know what to expect.). 2. Bethel: House of God- place of surrender, yielding, humility. 3. Jericho: The battle ground- first city to fall in the takeover of Canaan. Before breakthroughs, there is always a major battle. Elisha was very focused, determined and had faith in the God who called him and of course he was able to get hold of the anointing. 2 Kings 2:9-12 “9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.”
Prayer Points
Pray for the grace to be diligent in everything you do in the house of God irrespective what role (cleaning, greeter, usher, preaching Evangelism etc). 2 Peter 1:10-11 “10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualitiesyou will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Pray and ask the Lord to make us worthy of the call so that we may fully fulfill his good purpose: 2 Thessalonians 1:11 “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.”
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help us understand the hope of our calling. It’s not just some kind of a random stuff but we are called into the riches of God’s glory: Ephesians 1:18 “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
Pray that God will open the eyes of our understanding into this divine power that has been granted onto us so that we are not in a struggle to serve God in the areas of our calling: 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
Pray that we will not reject the call of God. Pray for vigilance and sensitivity as we serve God, so we don’t neglect his calling and so face consequences. Proverbs 1:24-26 “24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you.”
Pray that as we answer the call of God, we will walk in humility and allow only Jesus in our hearts so that he can live within us and seen through us: 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Pray against the spirit of arrogance in our use of whatever gift God has deposited in us. Pray that we will use our gifts only for its intended purpose- serving others and bringing glory to God. 1 Peter 4:10-11 “10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Pray that God will grant us the grace to surrender and trust God like Elisha (1 Kings 19:20-21)
Pray for the grace to go through and past the test like Elisha.