The Common Call

“What's wrong?”, I asked as I observed the look on my sweet niece's face. “I miss mommy.” She responded as she released built up tears. “It's okay to miss your mom.” I assured her, my response being far from a default answer. Though our evening consisted of plenty laughs, toddler talks, hugs and fun; I suppose something struck her memory of her mother. I understood her completely. As a matter of fact, her cry had recently been my same heart's cry -and literal cry, for my Heavenly Father. Not that He went anywhere, since He is an omnipresent God.

Life however, was changing and a new work role required more time and responsibility than previous seasons. Like the little one's mind recalled her tender mom, I recollected years worth of sacred moments with the Lord, my Abba. For me, it wasn't about the routine I had cultivated with God, rather the precious, unlimited time spent in His addictive presence. Now, that uninterrupted, sacred time would have to be reduced around work. What a sacrifice.

The mercy of God, through the Holy Spirit revealed it was just that; a sacrifice. The amount of time and experiences I've had the privilege of spending with God, some don't experience in a lifetime. This isn't a boast, but a sobering reality. Because these experiences were never for me, solely.

Though life was changing, the One Who never changes reminded me that He gives us Himself, His amazing presence, not to hoard but to carry wherever we go. We experience the pure love of God for the sake of knowing true love and extending it. We receive undeserved mercy in the worst of situations, that we too, may extend mercy. He gives us a Word, not to boost our ego, but to know His faithfulness first-hand when it comes to pass, -even if we have to contend for it. The Lord has poured out so much goodness on us. Yes, for our good but importantly, His glory.

I recognize that those tender moments I had with our Savior were never meant to be a thing of the past. These memorable times in His presence would last to Eternity, because I was being called to re-live them amongst others, in this new season. And even still, He'd be with me until the end of time as He promised in Matthew 28:20.

This promise is for you, too! Surely, Jesus is with [insert name] until the end of time.

There is a common call the Lord has placed on our lives. One that our inability to understand, cannot dictate. It is a call that goes far beyond self, though we reap much fruit from it.

Isaiah 43:10 gives us insight to this call,

 Yahweh says, “You are my witnesses, my chosen servants.

I chose you in order that you would know me intimately,

believe me always, and fully understand that I am the only God.

There was no god before me, and there will be no other god after me.

Oh sis, if you've ever doubted your purpose in Christ, may this be one of many verses to annihilate that doubt. You are chosen. We know that “choosing” is an intentional act, so it isn't by happenstance that you're redeemed at a high price. The Lord God created you, stood back full of delight, already seeing the version of you that He predestined you to be and said, “I choose her!” Secondly, we do not serve a God Who is far removed. Though He reigns over all the earth, He includes us in His marvelous plan to first, know Him intimately. As we know Him, inevitably, we believe and trust Him to the point that everything we once placed our confidence in, pales in comparison to the only One worth investing our hope in. Then we join with Him on this awesome, sometimes scary journey of establishing His Kingdom where He has placed us.

Our intimate revelation of Who God is, is what ignites our faith. It isn't that we need more faith, more religious routine or to pray harder. We need Him. As we bring every concern, every question, every feeling and even every cry to Him; He answers with a revelation of Himself. That revelation gives us hope to cling to but also truth to carry out into the world as “His witnesses and chosen servants.”

As we spend our lives being perfected into His love, we begin to see more clearly how every single area of our life is ministry. One we get the privilege of doing alongside God. What is it that He is calling you to do? Whatever it is, the starting place is knowing Him. That knowledge will fuel power, confidence and obedience in ways we could never conjure up in our own strength. His call is always an invitation to partner with Him in God-reliance, carrying His glory, as He carries us.

No matter what season, you may find yourself in, there is significance. “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). Maybe this is your season of being still. Or perhaps this season requires another level of stewardship over what He has entrusted to you. It could be your season of transition. Or maybe you're in an unknown, uncertain wilderness season.

Though the details of our lives may look different, the commonality for each one still remains and that is the call to know Him intimately. That is the starting point to walking out this common call!

Make it personal

Read Isaiah 43 entirely and note every time you see God's commitment towards His people. How does this encourage you?

How would you describe this season you're in? And how can you glorify God, right where you are?

What do you sense God is calling you to do in this season? Inquire to Him about it.

What do you desire the most out of your relationship with God?

Let's Pray

Dear Lord God, we thank You for goodness and mercy. Though You reign over all creation, You desire  for us to know You, intimately. You hold all power in Your hands and yet You call us to experience Your goodness and proclaim it. At times, Your love overwhelms us and other times it feels distant but we know that You are never far so help us cling to You, despite what we perceive. O God, forgive us for our wrong perceptions. We're asking for a fresh revelation of You. Give us sacred moments with You, Jesus. Teach us and lead us down pleasing and flourishing paths. Fulfill Your plans through us. We give You our 'Yes', Lord. Have Your perfect way in us, through us and around us. In Jesus's mighty name, amen!