ANSWER HIS CALL!

Saturday, January 18, 2020

ANSWER HIS CALL!

Matt 4:18-20

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

During the Viet Nam war era, Bible Colleges and Seminaries received a glut of volunteers to study for vocational Christian ministry. I was among them. Student enrollment reached thousands while today those same institutions barely manage hundreds. But not all, in those days, were draft dodgers. Some were sincere in their calling. Time and circumstance has thinned the herd considerably and some others held on to transition the ministry into a show.

Many of my generation of respondents to God’s call in the late 60’s are dead, retired, retiring, or pressing on wearily. We need a new class to take our place with a clear understanding of the effort and sacrifices required to minister in today’s confusion. It is that very understanding of the difficulties that thins the army of volunteers like God did with Gideon’s thousands. Gideon was left with a small band of pot breakers and horn blowers who were secure in God’s promises and firm in their resolve.

Jesus did not do “magic” on these rough fishers. He did not lift them by their nostrils and float them on a whim. No, they saw fishing as important but of lesser importance than following Jesus. When they left their nets they left their life and their livelihood. It was a challenge. Most died in the venture.

Not all can become preachers or missionaries but each one of us can be ministers. The abilities you have been given and those you have developed can be used in God’s work and not just for the sake of making money and living a meaningless life. Answer His call. If you are quiet and listen, you will hear Him.

1 Tim 1:12-13

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Dear Lord, honor those who nearing the end of their calling and send out the call for a new class of laborers. AMEN