Monday, March 19, 2007

Day 19 - God's Calling

I was listening to John Bevere today on God TV (Internet). He was talking about really knowing the calling that God has for us (which we all know is important to find out). But he took it further than that. Here are some highlights:

We are to diligently seek God to find out what HE has specifically called us to do. If we don't know it, how can we know if and when we have completed it (Paul "finished his course"). It is like a race - the course is laid out (planned ahead of time) - if we don't know the course, how can we know where the finish line is? Or if we are off course? Pretty hard to stay on course!

When we know what God has called us to do - and we don't do it, or we do something else - this is disobedience. Obviously doing things that are wrong, or turning your back on Him and walking away from Christianity, these are disobedience to God. But he was saying that even doing good things, when they aren't what we are called to do, is disobedience.

We can't say, "I know You asked me to do _________, but I decided to do __________ instead." God will not take it in exchange for what He called us to do. Substitutions won't accomplish His plan. Doing good things will not release us from our responsibility to what He asked us to do. John Bevere went as far as to say that those good things that we did (that we weren't called to do) would, in the end, be burned up as wood, hay and stubble.

Imagine being asked to cook a meal. You decide to bake your favourite dessert instead, thinking, "It's always a big hit!!!" That's nice, but it wasn't what you were asked to do. The dessert IS great, that is not in dispute - but it doesn't fulfill the need of a good meal. The task has not been completed. The need was not met.

Are we busy doing good things that we haven't been asked to do? They aren't wrong in themselves. But the real question HAS to be: Are we busy doing what God has called us to do? THAT will accomplish SO much more than doing good things. God has a plan and a calling for each one of us. Do you know what He has for you? Are you walking in your calling?

Selah Y

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am planning on being busy with only what He has called me to do. I have a fresh start and plan on trying to only "do what the Father tells me to do"

Thanks for the reminder.

Rhonda said...

Very thought provoking. And an excellent reminder!!!!!!

Tamar said...

Cheryl,
This is a very good reminder to not just do what others ask or think You should do but to Ask God for His Plan.
I believe His Yolk is Easy and Burden is Light! I think It gets heavy when we stray from His plan. (very easy to do though eh!)
If we feel hard its too hard or to overwhelming....Perhaps we are off course and need to ask Him to clarify the course He wants us on.
Not to say it is all easy, But With His Strength anything He asks us is Possible and His Peace can be with us even in the hard stuff.

Like Phil. 4:6-7:

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving present Your requests to God. And the Peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

His Peace gets us through so Much!
Tamar