God Called

II Timothy 1:1

In 2004, I was driving a delivery truck headed from Riceboro, GA to Walthourville, GA. It was a beautiful ride with the old oak trees making a canopy over the road. I had made the drive many times over the past year. One thing I learned driving a truck, it did not take long to get really tired of listening to music stations because they seemed to play the same songs every hour. So, I started listening to a local Christian station that played preaching. I loved the teaching I was getting, and little did I know, God was preparing my heart for something.

That day, I was miserable. I didn't like college. I didn't really like work. I didn't like anything. As I was sitting in the truck I called out, "God what do you want from me?" I am not making this up, it was just as clear as if it had been audible. God told me, "I want you to preach". My response was "Oh no God, anything but that!" However, while I was reluctant, I did what God asked. That was my calling into the ministry.

---

”Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,”

II Timothy 1:1

---

The Apostle Paul said that he was "an apostle of Jesus Christ BY THE WILL OF GOD". In other words, God called Paul into the ministry. It was not a job he chose for himself. That is what a lot of people think. Unfortunately, it is also what a lot of people in pulpits think as well. We read about Paul's call to be an Apostle in Acts 13:1-4.

---

“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.”

Acts 13:1-4

---

There is so much I could say on this topic, but I won't. What I will tell you is that if God had not called me into the ministry, I would not be here today. I did not want to be a preacher. There have been times that I have wanted to quit (and even tried to). When I did try to walk away, God reminded me of my calling. Since God called me to be a pastor, He will decide when my calling is over. I believe that will be when He calls me home either through death or He returns for His church.

I am sure that calling was an assurance to Paul at this point in his life as well. Paul was sitting in a prison cell at the end of his life. No doubt all kinds of thoughts ran through his mind. He may have wondered if his life had been a waste. The thought might have crossed his mind that he had not been successful. I believe he had these thoughts because he was human. However, as these thoughts tried to creep in, he could remember his calling. Knowing that it was God that had called him into the ministry and God that had led his ministry, Paul could rest assure that his life was not wasted.

The same is true for everyone's life. A person may not be a pastor, but God still has a purpose for each life. If we live our life trying to fulfill our calling, we can rest assured during those dark periods, when thoughts creep in, that our life is not wasted. We may not see the results we would like, but we have done what God called us to do.

Father, thank You for having a plan for each life. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit will direct us in that life if we ask and listen. Help us all to be obedient to Your calling and listen for Your leading.