A Theology of Call
A Theology of Call
The Christian community
today is full of language describing what it means to be called by
God. This language was not pulled out of thin air for we have many
examples of God calling men and women to specific tasks for him.
Moses led the people out of Israel, Jeremiah was called to be a
prophet when he was very young, the disciples were asked by Jesus to
follow him and Paul was called on the Damascus road. The danger
comes when we try to take a singular biblical experience and make it
normal for everyone. We need to ask the question, "What was
the situation then and where are the similarities and the differences
for me today?"
I am ruminating over this
question because I recently interviewed for a position with an
organization that works with a very specific demographic. I made it
to the final interview demonstrating my ability to lead, teach good
theology and relate to a variety of ages. What I understood was the
determining factor in my not being selected was my lack of conviction
that I was called to this demographic. It got me thinking about what
this organization has determined as significant criteria and what God
believes are the primary motivating factors to determine what our
call might be.
We might hear people say,
"I am called to go overseas or to minister to the poor or even
to minister to the rich." As I scour the Scriptures for
evidence of this type of call, I frankly come up empty. Have we
created a new theology based upon personal preference that has little
to do with biblical standards? Now, I sincerely believe that God has
placed a call upon my life to be a minister of the gospel. And I
find biblical precedent all throughout the Old and New Testaments.
My struggle has been to determine if I am allowed to say that I am
called to a specific people group or am I simply following natural
desires that I have or God has given me.
My understanding of the
biblical call is the following:
1) We are called to be in
a relationship with God, therefore we need to respond to his love for
us and accept the work that Jesus did on the cross. Romans 10:8-13
2) We are called to love
God first and love our neighbors as ourselves. Matthew 22:36-40
3) We are called to make
disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:18-20
4) We are called to be
holy or perfect: Matthew 5:48
5) We are called to be in
the center of God's will. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18
6) We are called to these
specific groups: orphans and widows James 1:27
7) We are called to be
like Jesus. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Is it possible and indeed
probable that God gives people abilities to work with particular
groups of people? Yes! Does he work with or even change our desires
at times so that all people might be reached with the gospel? I
believe so! Are the things I have mentioned God's general calling
for all people and does he indeed have specific callings for each of
us. Yes and maybe. Personally, as I mentioned, God has called me to
be a minister. It has taken many years for my desires to catch up
with God's call on my life. For other people it might work
differently. But I know of many, many people who would not be able
to list any specific calling on their life. Therefore, they would
defer to the above list, seek God in prayer and ask what it is they
are to do on a daily basis.
I was curious to examine
the gospels and see to whom Jesus paid attention. To whom was he
called? If I am to be like Jesus, I want to follow his example as
closely as possible. His disciples were non-noteworthy people:
fisherman and tax collectors. He bent the Jewish law by discipling
woman and encouraging them to follow him. He touched the diseased.
He healed those who the teachers of the law had cast out and labeled
as 'sinners'. One commentator even points out that he never sought
out the rich, but they sought him. Zaccheaus, a wealthy tax
collector and Nicodemus, a teacher of the Law wanted to know Jesus
and he did not refuse them, but even spent significant time with them
speaking to them of things eternal rather than earthly things. The
poor, disenfranchised, sick, women and other outcasts pursued Jesus
because as the Son of God, he embodied love, mercy and compassion and
they recognized their need. Those of us who are perceived as wealthy
often don't know our needs because we distract ourselves with
busyness, possessions and even personal fame. Jesus' contact with
the rich, young ruler leaves us hanging except that Mark points out
that Jesus loved him.
All of us are made in
God's image and all of us are lost in our sin and need a Savior.
As a follower of Jesus
Christ, do you have a heart for a particular group of people? Great!
Is it a 'call'? I would be careful to use that word. I would be
thankful that God has worked within my personality and given me gifts
and abilities that enable me to be effective, but sometimes that
word, 'call', can over-spiritualize what is normal for all believers.
And then there are those who use the word in a negative fashion.
i.e. "I don't feel called
to those people." All that may mean is that you are being faced
with an uncomfortable situation and you are attempting to use
spiritual language to slither away.
Finally,
my situation may change and I may find myself surrounded by people to
whom I had not thought about. A couple of years ago, I was a
chaplain at a mental health hospital. I was faced with teenagers and
adults who had extreme needs. Some of the duties I had were
extremely stressful and I had to examine whether I had the stuff to
be effective. One role I had was to lead a weekly Bible study for
men at a drug and alcohol recovery house. I loved it. I had never
imagined that I would have a heart for people like this, but God
equips and enables. Was I particularly effective? I don't know.
But for a time, I sensed God's pleasure as I talked with these men.
For
that is how Eric Liddell expressed his faith: “I believe
God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run
I feel his pleasure.” So, when
questioning a person about their "CALL", maybe we should
change our language in order to be more biblically accurate and use
Liddell's words. What are doing that you know God is pleased with?
If you have gifts and abilities that are leading you in a certain
direction and you sense God's pleasure be careful not to let anyone
dissuade you from it. There are too many people who pretend to be
spiritual when they are only speaking from carnal hearts and using
pseudo-spiritual language. i.e. Don't tell me what I can or cannot
do based on your preconceived notions of your perception of ministry.
Rather, seek biblical advice. Follow Jesus' example and always be
prepared to have your thoughts and even desires radically altered.
“I believe in God
the Father, Almighty, Creator, infinitely holy and loving, who has a
plan for the world, a plan for my life, and some daily work for me to
do. I believe in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, as Example, Lord,
and Saviour. I believe in the Holy Spirit who is able to guide my
life so that I may know God’s will; and I am prepared to allow him
to guide and control my life. I believe in God’s law that I should
love the Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and
with all my mind, and with all my strength; and my neighbour as
myself. I believe it is God’s will that the whole world should be
without any barriers of race, colour, class, or anything else that
breaks the spirit of fellowship. To believe means to believe with the
mind and heart, to accept, and to act accordingly on that basis.
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