“Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
We live in daily submission to a host of authorities who circumscribe our freedom: From parents to traffic police officers to dog catchers. All authorities are to be respected and, as the Bible declares, honored. But only one authority has the intrinsic right to bind the conscience. God alone imposes absolute obligation, and He does it by the power of His holy voice.
He calls the world into existence by divine imperative, by holy fiat. He calls the dead and rotting Lazarus to life again. He calls people who were no people “My people.” He calls us out of darkness and into light. He effectually calls us to redemption. He calls us to service.
Our vocation is so named because of its Latin root vocatio, “a calling.” The term vocational choice is a contradiction in terms to the Christian. To be sure, we do choose it and can, in fact, choose to disobey it. But prior to the choice and hovering with absolute power over it is the divine summons, the imposition to duty from which we dare not flee.
It was vocation that drove Jonah on his flight to Tarshish and caused his terrified shipmates to dump him in the sea to still the vengeful tempest. It was vocation that elicited the anguished cry from Paul, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). It was vocation that put a heinous cup of bitterness in the hands of Jesus.
The call of God, living in this world as a child of God, is not always to a glamorous vocation, and its fruit in this world is often bittersweet. Yet God calls us according to our gifts and talents, and directs us to paths of the most useful service to His kingdom. How impoverished we would be if Jonah had made it to Tarshish, if Paul had refused to preach, if Jeremiah really had turned in his prophet’s card, or if Jesus had politely declined the cup. Think about it … what will be the tab of spiritual losses if you do not respond to God’s call? Well, look at the world around us!
Prayer
Lord, I will listen to Your call and follow where You would lead me. Let me use the gifts You have given me in service to You and the promise You have given the whole world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
