Daily Devotional - Responding to God's call

How do you respond when you hear or feel God calling you? Matthew sets the example on responding to the call. Matthew 9:9 says, "As Jesus was walking, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and He said to him, "Follow me," And he got up and followed Him". Is it really that easy for us? Apparently it was for Matthew. I know for me, at times it is, and at other times it isn't. Many times, I don't want to drop what I am doing, leave it all behind, and follow where God is leading. That is the selfish, controlling part of me that wants to have the final say in what I am going to do.

Sometimes all we hear from God is a simple "Follow Me". That's it? Two words? Really? Yes. Unequivocally yes. Undeniably yes. SOMETIMES....... Other times, it is much more than two words. At some points in our lives, we may hear a more informative set of directions. "Go here, talk to this person, share My love with them, buy them lunch, reaffirm My love for them, get their phone number, and share your knowledge of My grace, love, and mercy with them".

Still at other times, we may not hear anything at all. There may be a pulling at the strings of our hearts to do something. We may have a piece of our heart that feels like it is going to be incomplete until we step forward and take care of what God is leading us to do. When you feel a longing to do something that is new to us, but we know it is the right thing to do, are you going to ignore it? When God is leading you to put in fifteen percent into the offering plate instead of your usual nine and a half percent, are you going to do it? My pastor shared a story of a college aged student this past weekend. They were at an outreach ministry, and God led her to place a check worth everything she had on her into the offering. She called her parents to tell them what she was being led to do, and their first reaction was one of disbelief. After she informed them that God was asking this of her, she went through with following the call. About a week later, she received a gift that more than exceeded the amount she needed for the upcoming week for food and bills. Would you have had the strength to do as she did?

When you feel the call to step up to the plate, what are you going to do? That moment is coming when you will be asked to go farther, to do more, and to exceed what boundaries you are accustomed to... it's up to you to decide just how far you are willing to let God grow you. What are you going to do? Hesitate before responding? I hope not. Why wait? Follow The Man. Make a statement. You are blessed, so be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
J