Sacrificially stepping into God’s calling does not mean everything will be clear sailing. In fact, if Biblical narratives are any indication, the opposite seems to be the norm. However, if you study those same narratives, you’ll quickly learn that the safest place a child of God can be is in His loving hands even in the midst of the storm.
Case in point, Amos. Amos simple life as a shepherd and a carer for sycamore-fig trees was abruptly turned upside down when God called him to leave his small-town life in Judah and head to the big city in Israel. (Amos 7:14) Shepherds didn’t carry a lot of influence in Biblical days, and people of influence looked down on them as hicks. Add the fact that Amos was from Judah and God was calling him to bring a harsh message to Jeroboam, the King of Israel, well you can see where I am going. Life got complicated the day that God showed up at Amos’ door.
Totally out of his league, Amos was resolute. He would be obedient to God’s calling, and he would speak the message God had given him to the people God instructed him to go to. God, in turn, miraculously opened the doors into the inner sanctum of the elite for this shepherd/orchard worker. Amos’ guileless response to those who opposed God’s message is a clear indication of his character. He wasn’t trying to be something he wasn’t, he didn’t put on airs. He stated who he was, what his previous occupation was, and what God was telling him to say. I have a feeling if I met Amos in person, I’d like him. Simple and utterly loyal to his God. Although the book of Amos doesn’t give us any indication of what happened to him, I hope that he was able to return home to his sheep and his orchards.
God calls us to be faithful and to be obedient to His call, and to state His message without pretence or guile. When we face intimidating and somewhat alien situations, it can be tempting to compromise who we are in an attempt to present ourselves in the best possible light. However, if we remind ourselves we are mere carriers of God’s word, we will want to do our best to present HIM in the best light possible, and that light is found in the character of Jesus, the Light of the World.
Personal Application
Luke 12:11 (NLT) – “When you are brought to trial in the synagogues, and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
1 Peter 5:6 (MSG) – “Be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time.”
Galatians 6:4 (TPT) – “Let everyone is devoted to fulfil the work God has given them to do with excellence, and their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by others.”
Did you know the word hypocrite comes from the ancient Greek word for ‘actor’? Be yourself! Has God given you an assignment? Then keep this truth in mind. He called YOU to fulfil that assignment. He did not ask you to take on a role of someone else, no matter how you feel that person would accomplish that assignment. Be the best you that you can be but never lose sight of the person God intended you to be.
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All Bible verses attributed to the ESV version unless otherwise indicated.
Until Next Week
©2018 Katherine Walden
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