In Exodus, there is a fantastic account where Moses encounters God by a burning bush. In this experience, not only is Moses introduced to the one true God in an awe-inspiring way, but he receives a divine call to lead Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land.
How does Moses respond? He responds by voicing some objections. Moses fears that the Israelites will not recognize him as a leader. Moses even declares that he does not even know how to tell them who sent him. He claims he lacks credentials and also the ability needed for such a call. Then, he flat out declares, send someone else.
We discover that God patiently meets each of Moses’ objections with encouragement and even inviting Moses to partner with Him in some miraculous displays of divine power. In the end, Moses is sent to fulfill his call. We discover as Moses’ story unfolds that he comes to believe he is called, that God will provide all that is needed to fulfill his calling, and that he was the answer (he had a part in God’s redemptive plans).
Moses goes on to be one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament. He is warmly remembered as the man chosen to bring redemption to God’s people held in Egypt. God specifically chose Moses to lead the Israelites from captivity in Egypt to salvation in the Promised Land. Moses is also recognized as the mediator of the Old Covenant and is commonly referred to as the giver of the Law. Finally, Moses is the principal author of the Pentateuch, the foundational books of the entire Bible. It is no exaggeration to state that Moses role in the Old Testament is a type and shadow of the role of Jesus in redemptive history. However, this would not be possible had he not trusted the Lord and accepted his calling.
Moses received a burning call from God that, once he accepted, led him to a life filled with dynamic fruit from the Lord. Each of us is called by God as well. Paul writes to the Ephesian believers: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). God has a burning calling for each of us.
We can understand God’s call in two tiers that we need to keep in alignment. We have our primary call or common calling. We are to be disciples, who make disciples, wherever we are (see: Matt 28:18-20). Then, we have our secondary calling. Paul writes that we are “masterpieces,” created by Him with the call and ability to do great things for the Kingdom that will glorify God, bless us, and benefit others (Eph 2:10). A believer must keep his or her unique secondary calling aligned to his or her primary calling to make disciples who make disciples. (2 Tim 2:2) This is true whether we are pastors, teachers, students, clerks, moms, and dads…you get the picture. Every believer, as part of the church, has the capacity and call to participate in God’s redemptive plans.
What a burning calling, but I would guess all of us have either boldly like Moses or passively declared our objections. But, our objections does not change the fact that we have been called. In order to move personally beyond our objections, we need to, like Moses, believe we are called. We must believe God will provide what we need to fulfill our calling. Lastly, we must believe we are the answer (God has a place for each of us in His redemptive plans). In one way or another, God wants us to partner with Him to impact our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, this region, and yes the world, for His glory. Imagine what it would look like for all of us to accept God’s calling on our lives. We and the world around us will never be the same. The crucial question is: Will you accept God’s call on your life?
It is my joy to serve our Lord with each of you. Let’s encourage each other to answer God’s call on our life. Let’s help each other to believe we are called, that God will provide everything we need to fulfill our calling believing we are the answer (God has a place for each of us in His redemptive plans). Imagine the Kingdom fruit that will be produced as we partner with God by answering His call. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!