If you step back and look at the big picture of the bible, it becomes obvious that God uses people in the strangest ways to carry out his will. Maybe I should say, He uses strange people to do so. After all, just like now, it’s the people, the men and women of the bible, who are given spiritual fortitude to exercise heavenly strength here on earth. Moses was a murderer. Paul killed a few Jesus lovers in his day. Rahab was a whore and Jacob was full of shortcomings, just to name a few. The point is, God uses the least likely of us to carry out His plan, in spite of what we think we’re capable of, no matter what we think we’re worthy of.
I mean, most of the prophets were reluctant participants in how God’s message for His people was delivered. By my observations, most did not want anything to do with carrying the Word either because they didn’t believe it at the time; didn’t think they were worthy; people wouldn’t listen to them; or just felt this was an impossible blessing for them and the people they were supposed to deliver the message to. Whatever the reason, we should all be mindful that the Hand of the Lord is at work where He deems it will do the most good. Regardless of what we think, anyone and everyone is a candidate for greatness in the eyes of the Almighty, including you.
I used to think that only the one who was called to preach had the gift of ministry. Try telling that to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and see how quickly that misguided thinking gets refuted. Slowly, and I do mean slowly, I’ve come to accept we all have a ministry according to the will of God. Neither economic status, social class nor educational attainment means anything if God says it’s your turn to do his bidding, deliver His message or simply let others see Him in and through you. One thing is for certain as the bible confirms. You cannot refuse God when He comes knocking. Just ask Moses, Ezekiel, Isaiah, or even Jeremiah. More importantly, just ask yourself as I have lately, what are you reluctant to do in the name of God? I admit, only you know if you’re in denial. Only you know if you’re desperately trying to get God to choose someone else. The question is, how long will it take you to realize, as they all did, that sooner or later, you’re going to do what God is telling you to do?
I submit to you that you might want to get to that conclusion before God stops asking you to do anything and starts telling you. In my sanctified imagination, I believe God just might take no for an answer and abandons you all together. The prospect of that gives a whole meaning to “When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sins and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” Ezekiel 3:18. In this, I now believe that the measure of your life and mine is how we respond to God’s call and not how hard we work, even if that work benefits others. We still must obey according to what we are called to do. The question then is, how do we know when God is talking to us? I just so happen to believe that God will not allow himself to be confusing to you. I really believe He’s talking all the time. The key for us is to make a conscious and deliberate effort to listen and hear him. That requires prayer and persistence. Used together, listening becomes habitual. To all of you, who hear what I’m trying to say, know that I’m trying to hear God each and every day. In doing so, I’m obligated to share with you that maybe my job and calling is to accept as a blessing this platform, use it as a conduit for God’s will and continue to say very loudly and clearly that Jesus is lord and if you also believe this, then you better tell somebody.
May God bless and keep you always.
James, jaws@dallasweekly.com