In the past, when I heard pastors declare that God had called me and that God had a purpose for my life, I had a bit of trouble believing. How could He call me? What does little ole’ me have to offer such a Majestic God? In fact, I never had a Samuel moment where I heard Him call my name. Initially, I thought saying that God had called me was more religiously correct (think politically correct) than reality. But recently [especially after reading Destiny Navigational Application – Bidemi Mark-Mordi’s book]I’ve begun to gain greater and empowering clarity on how amazing the truth that I am called by Jehovah is.
Allow me muse out loud about this call, which I now believe started way back at creation…
Have you ever considered the whole creation event and how Elohim literally ‘called’ all things (including man) into existence?
Almost as though everything was waiting in the wings for their time to show Gods glory… [I’m getting ahead of myself here, sorry]. Romans 4:17 attests to the fact that God calls things into existence which had hitherto not existed. He calls them forth onto the world stage. But why did He call them? How did He know what to call each He called forth?
I’ve realized that when someone calls you, this person has knowledge of you, you have an identity in the mind of the caller and the expectation is that you will behave in tandem with your identity in your response to the call.
When you call a Doctor, you don’t expect him to give you details on how to build a bridge do you? Also when someone calls you, they want your attention, they expect that you step forward, and an answer to the call, action is at the core of the response to any call. God has called you and me, and is waiting on each of us to answer Him.
When the earth was formed, light was called forth, and light responded in tandem with its identity – it gave light, enhanced illumination and visibility. Also, God called fort the mist which watered the ground allowing plants grow. When God calls, He has already put in you everything required for you to fulfill His purpose (aka why He called you -your purpose). When light and mist where called forth, both responded in the fullness of their call and purpose; as soon as they showed up they exhibited the fullness of Creators purpose for their being. And I ask myself, am I consistent in displaying the purpose of my call when I am called? Or do I like the fig tree fail to produce when the Master has need of me? I am compelled to ask myself how many times have I stepped back and away from an obvious call thinking that I was not good enough, sanctified enough, equipped enough.
There is always a purpose and mission for everything called. Remember that Paul describes us as ‘the called according to His purpose…’ Romans 8:28.
The same God who formed us from the dust of the earth and then called us according to Isaiah 43:1. Knowing this, I now firmly believe that everyone in a relationship with Jehovah must first understand that before the foundation of the world God has called us according to His purpose, and it is our personal responsibility to search out this purpose as we faithfully respond to His call.
I am working on understanding my purpose and identity in Him, so that when I feel the inner stirring of His call in my everyday life I can first recognize what is happening and respond by stepping out in faith and obedience.
Irrespective of how I feel – whether ill-equipped, unworthy, fearful like Gideon when I feel His stirring I can be sure that He sees me as Mighty women of valor. And every asset, every skill, every wisdom, every knowledge required to actualize that call and purpose is already on the inside of me.
I have no qualms with impartations and mantles – hey! Elijah/Elisha’s experience really happened! So impartations and transference of mantles do happen. But, I am trying to learn that God has indeed made me a little lower than Elohim and crowned me with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5), and when He calls I identify that I have all that pertains to life and godliness – and I can step up in response to His call and purpose to give Him glory.
The truth is God is calling on each of us every day – to share His love, be the light in this dark world, be an example in faith and love, to lay hands on the sick that they recover, to declare the acceptable day of the Lord. From the smallest to the biggest the one who has called us has an expectation of us. What will you do about your call?