Called

January 3–Genesis 9-13

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you. . .and I will bless you and so you shall be a blessing’ ” (12:1-2).

God speaks. He calls us. Reaches out to us through words. “In the beginning was the Word,” says John 1:1. Communication is a part of God’s eternal nature.

God communicates His general purposes. Words that apply to all men. See 9:6-9. He communicates the sanctity of life. Holds people accountable. Declares His purpose of our fruitfulness. We can rejoice that He has not been silent with us. His voice is His love. “God after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways, has in these last days spoken to us in His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2, italics mine).

God also communicates His individual purposes. In a turning point of all history, God communicated His unique will for Abram in Genesis 12:1. He CALLED him to leave his country and relatives, promised to bless him, to make a great nation from him.

Every person’s encounter will be similar (even as our specific assignments will not be). God CALLED Moses (and Israel) to leave Egypt. Jesus CALLED His disciples and expected them to leave their nets. As with Abraham, WE ARE CALLED to “walk by faith,” to begin a journey forward into kingdom service and sanctification. God has a unique plan for each of His children. He is faithful to communicate to those who have ears. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

God’s CALL will take time, require faith. It did for Abram. It will for us, too. Remember the old Polaroid pictures? We waited for them to develop. Even so, God’s people walk and wait as God’s good plan is accomplished. Like the Magi, God gives us some measure of light, calls us to patiently pursue more.

Dear reader, do you hear God’s voice? What is He CALLING you to leave? Where is He CALLING you to go? What is He CALLING you to learn/unlearn? Has His plan become your new ambition?

“I’m learning how to let go, let God show me how to be me. I’m learning how to let go, let God show me how to be free” (Jack Cassidy, contemporary Christian song).

“Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, pilgrim in this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, hold me with Thy powerful hand” (William Williams).

“Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do” (Acts 22:10).