What kind of person does God look for when he has a job to do? Someone well qualified for the
job? Well, yes- but what makes a person qualified? Someone with a lot of experience? Someone
perfect? It is not our outward qualifications that God seeks- but a heart for God and His
kingdom- someone who humbly trusts God to be their strength in their weakness and failings.
Someone who knows that they have been saved- and called- by grace- and not anything they
have done.
The bible is full of people God called who drug their feet and made excuses- Moses argued he
couldn’t speak- Jonah tried to run from it- Jerimiah claimed he was too young. The list of
excuses goes on and on.
I read an article by Dr. Lamb this week. Dr Lamb is the director of Lutherans for Life. In it, he
talked about God’s calling on his life. While in fifth grade-he decided he wanted to be a
physician- but while in confirmation- his pastor suggested he consider becoming a pastor. He
said no- he was going to be a doctor. Later during college- his pastor suggested he be a pastor-
again he said no. In 1982 he was ordained. In 1996 he got a call from someone from Lutherans
for Life- asking him if he would consider being a candidate for the position of director. He said
no. In April of 1996 he became the director. Can any of you relate? Maybe you don’t even realize
it- but may I suggest we all are in the middle of God’s never ending story- calling us in various
ways for Him.
When God calls us- what should our response be? Humble obedience- knowing that God can
accomplish his will without us- but chooses to use us. And why? Not to pump ourselves up in
pride- not to impress others with our abilities-no- God has chosen the foolish things of the world
to shame the wise. I Corinthians 1:27 – so that others will know that it is the Lord’s doing-and
not ours.
God has called us first of all to Himself in surrender. Repent. Jesus prayed in the garden of
Gethsemane-“not my will- but yours be done.” If we want to follow Jesus- we too have to pray
His prayer. Many times it isn’t that we don’t know what God is calling us to as much as we
already know and don’t want to do it.
Are you a John the Baptist? Or a Mary? That isn’t the question. The question is- are you being
faithful and true to how and who God has created you? Only then can he fully use you. He has
gifted you- and you only with the right talents and gifts for just the right job. Bloom where you
are planted. Be content with where you are-and do everything as serving God.
God chose Mary- an unknown teenager. Her reaction? Scared- but excited- and most important-
willing. What about you and I? Are you excited about what God might have planned for you life-
no matter what age- young or old? Or are you scared that God might ask you to do something
that is out of your comfort zone at the same time? That is human nature. What God wants is
obedience- a willing spirit.
Will God choose you? He already has since before the beginning of time- but with the call- he
promises to never leave us alone- that He will be our strength. It all starts here with a small baby
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