Have you ever received an unexpected call in your life? I can look back in my life and see visuals in my mind of moments in which unexpected calls came. Some calls were good, some were bad. Please permit me to share one with you.
On August 22, 2005, my cell phone rang. The call was from Pastor Aaron. At this time, I was living in New Orleans, working at a hotel, and trying to juggle a full load of classes at the seminary. At that moment, life seemed to be normal. Each morning, I woke up knowing full well what the day was going to be like. I knew what time my classes were going to be, what time I needed to be at work, and what time I needed to be in bed. I knew when upcoming exams were as well as busy weekends downtown. At this time, life was routine (for a lack of a better word). However, on this particular day, a call changed my life.
Pastor Aaron left me a simple challenge; “Dave, pray about the possibility of moving to Acworth for a ministry opportunity.” I was dumbfounded. I was confused. I was not sure what I was going to tell my girlfriend (now wife) at the time. I spent time in prayer and trusted the Lord in His plan for this unexpected call. Little did I know what was going to happen in the near future.
A few days after Aaron called me, hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Brooke and I evacuated… and found ourselves in Acworth (of all places!) It just so happened that the Lord led a search committee to “call” me to this ministry. It just so happened that this committee was unaware of the “call” that the Lord placed on Aaron’s heart (I really mean that, they had no clue). God was working in His divine call to lead us to this ministry. 3 years later… I still praise Him for that call.
Look with me at this passage: Mark 1:16-20. As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. Do you see what happened? Jesus was passing along the Sea of Galilee and called four men to follow Him. In verse 20, the Greek word Kaleo is used (kal-eh'-o: to call (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) -- bid, call . forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called.) This word is used to describe what happened; Jesus called these men to follow Him in a ministry that would forever change the world. I wonder what thoughts came to their mind when they received that “call” from the Master. I wonder if the thoughts I had years ago would compare. I wonder what your thoughts would be?
What are you called to? Have you ever been called? As adopted children of God, we are called to make disciples of all nations (see Matthew 28:19-20). This weekend, I challenge you to take time to listen. Take time to read His Word and understand the beauty we have in following the call. Perhaps the call today is simply to give Him your loving devotion, as these 4 men did so many years ago. Read Mark 1:16-20 again and think about your own life. Are you called?
On August 22, 2005, my cell phone rang. The call was from Pastor Aaron. At this time, I was living in New Orleans, working at a hotel, and trying to juggle a full load of classes at the seminary. At that moment, life seemed to be normal. Each morning, I woke up knowing full well what the day was going to be like. I knew what time my classes were going to be, what time I needed to be at work, and what time I needed to be in bed. I knew when upcoming exams were as well as busy weekends downtown. At this time, life was routine (for a lack of a better word). However, on this particular day, a call changed my life.
Pastor Aaron left me a simple challenge; “Dave, pray about the possibility of moving to Acworth for a ministry opportunity.” I was dumbfounded. I was confused. I was not sure what I was going to tell my girlfriend (now wife) at the time. I spent time in prayer and trusted the Lord in His plan for this unexpected call. Little did I know what was going to happen in the near future.
A few days after Aaron called me, hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Brooke and I evacuated… and found ourselves in Acworth (of all places!) It just so happened that the Lord led a search committee to “call” me to this ministry. It just so happened that this committee was unaware of the “call” that the Lord placed on Aaron’s heart (I really mean that, they had no clue). God was working in His divine call to lead us to this ministry. 3 years later… I still praise Him for that call.
Look with me at this passage: Mark 1:16-20. As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. Do you see what happened? Jesus was passing along the Sea of Galilee and called four men to follow Him. In verse 20, the Greek word Kaleo is used (kal-eh'-o: to call (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) -- bid, call . forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called.) This word is used to describe what happened; Jesus called these men to follow Him in a ministry that would forever change the world. I wonder what thoughts came to their mind when they received that “call” from the Master. I wonder if the thoughts I had years ago would compare. I wonder what your thoughts would be?
What are you called to? Have you ever been called? As adopted children of God, we are called to make disciples of all nations (see Matthew 28:19-20). This weekend, I challenge you to take time to listen. Take time to read His Word and understand the beauty we have in following the call. Perhaps the call today is simply to give Him your loving devotion, as these 4 men did so many years ago. Read Mark 1:16-20 again and think about your own life. Are you called?
1 comment:
Dave,
I give thanks to God always for you and your wife, constantly mentioning you in my prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3) What an awesome testimony of God's sovereignty, you've done great work in the student ministry and it is a joy to work with you.
Keep up the good fight,
Canyon
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