Running from His Call

I became a Christian at the age of 14. I'll never forget the night Dan Webster our Youth Pastor spoke about God's love for us and that he wanted to be our ultimate Daddy. This spoke directly to my heart and pulled me into the arms of Jesus. As a young Christian I thought that my life would be filled with hugs and kisses, sitting on my father's lap. God would be a daddy that would protect and care for me. Giving me lots of love.  While He is all of that, there is so much more to following Him.

Through the years I have learned much about and struggled with obedience, following His call, going to make disciples and dealing with unrelenting sin in my life. At times following Jesus is simply a response to my deep love for Him and at other times, it's difficult to follow the call that He has set before us.

Once again I am grateful that he has revealed to us people in His word who have struggled with following his call. On the last blog I shared about Jonah who ran from God. He ran because he didn't like the call that was extended to him. Today I'd like to look at a couple of others who are mentioned in the Bible who had difficulty following His call and instead ran in one way or another. Moses had excuses of why he wasn't strong enough. (Exodus 3:11) Jeremiah when told by God that he was to be a prophet to the nations declared that  “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”  Jeremiah 1:6  I love God's response when Jeremiah tries to run from His call But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.  See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:7-10

God is intimately aware at how He has gifted us and knows that He will be with us. He is the one who has appointed us! We will not fail if we will just listen and follow His lead.

I desire to be obedient when I hear the voice of God asking me to do something or directing me in a path. I want to say, "Yes Lord,", but I struggle sometimes to do it immediately, and at other times it may take me a month or two or even a year or two. Today I went to have my hair done.  Honestly it is one of my favorite things to do! I was too late to see my regular stylist so I had to wait for whoever was available.  When the woman came over to me I was nervous because I had never been under her care before. Quickly into our session I realized that God had brought me into the salon for her. Here lies the problem, I didn't want to be "on" today. I was tired and wanted to have a restful, relaxing time.  Instead, I was smack in the middle of a woman who was shattered inside and crying out for someone to listen. I heard the call to love her, to share God's love with her and I battled for a few moments if I should.  I had just met her and she was holding my hair in her hands! You know God won! He reminded me as she was sharing her heartache with me that He would fight for her. I was able to bless her with His love and His promise. Thank you God for always reminding me to follow your lead!

Let's dive into this together. How willing are you to follow His call in these areas?

• Forgiving others 
• Serving when you're tired 
• Stepping out of your comfort zone 
• Moving to a new city, state or country 
• Sharing your testimony with others 
• Talking about Jesus 
• Praying with others 
• Loving the unlovely 
• Giving up your rights 

If you had difficulty answering Yes Lord to any of these, why not ask the Lord to soften your heart today?