In the United Methodist Church, the senior pastor is the chair of the Committee on Nominations. This means part of my responsibility is to see that all the positions in our church are continually filled.
Recently, due to the death of one of the best men I have ever met, I had to fill his position on the Administrative Council.
Knowing the person, the committee was asking to serve would be hard to catch, I resorted to text messaging, which is a real chore for someone as intellectually and emotionally limited as I am.
This was a portion of yesterday’s correspondence.
I texted, “Have a vacancy on Ad. Council. Would like to add you.”
His responded, “I won’t say no, but I work over 50 hours/week and have increasing grandchildren duties so if there is someone better suited, please ask them.”
I texted, “There is not.”
Trying to hit me where it would hurt the most, he texted, “Ok but if it pushes me into retirement that is bad for the offering.”
As the text conversation continued, I promised to give him a free funeral even though he’s already racked up a few.
This got me thinking about God’s call for each of us.
In looking at scripture, many people God called to service did not want to respond. Each of them had very good reasons why they shouldn’t.
Moses was a murderer and argued with God. Isaiah said his sins disqualified him. Gideon claimed he was too insignificant and weak. Jeremiah said he was too young. Jonah was blinded by hate. The list of those who resisted the call to serve goes on and on….
But the only way to truly become the people God created them to be, was to serve.
More than likely, God won’t call you to go to Egypt to set His people free, become a great prophet, or lead an army, but God is calling you to something. Whatever it is, do it.
Peter said, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
God has created us for a specific purpose. We are here to serve.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please help me understand and respond to your call to serve. Help me be the person you created me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
The bottom line is, if we aren’t serving, we are not fulfilling our true reason for being. And even though people like me will continually come up with excuses why we are not qualified, God doesn’t buy it.
As the old saying goes, “God does not call the equipped. God equips the called.”
Choose to answer God call for your life and serve. It’s why you were made.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 