For many years of my adult life, I’ve been fascinated by “The Call”.  If you’ve spent any time in church or around preachers, you’ve probably been introduced to these words.  In fact, all you have to do is approach a pastor and say, “Tell about your Call”.  There will be no hesitation or question that you are referring to their commitment to follow Christ in ministry as a pastor.

Not answering God’s call is a key factor in the dwindling of full featured faith in action.  And so the church body becomes consumers rather than producers, our pastors get burned out, and we miss the point of “community” completely.  It’s easy to sit back and swear we’re not “called” to “do that” while pastors are left to shoulder the entire burden.  However, our picture was painted differently.  Paul wrote his letter to the Roman Christians to help them understand that if you love God, then you are called.

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Plainly, Paul is telling them and you… that if you love God with all the strength you have, then He will direct you according to where He can use you.  And let’s not forget that loving God means giving yourself to service in love of your neighbor.

As a leader within your church… more specifically… a leader of men,  you have a daunting role of motivating men to connect to the church and faith in a “Christ Like” way.  There is hardly a magic formula used to accomplish this task but I can personally advise you that it’s easier than it may appear.  Get back to basics.  Men want to be wanted just like everyone else… it just takes longer to get connected.  Don’t get discouraged and accept the challenge with tenacity.  This applies to all men… if you aren’t investing yourself into others, then you’ve missed the whole point of Romans 8:28 and The Bible.

When you say “yes” to God, you are committing your talents and energies to be available for Him to use them as He sees fit.  Whether you realize it or not, if you profess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, then you were “called”.  Now it’s just time to be available.

My grandfather was called to be a preacher.  And to hear him tell his story is one of the most inspiring, humbling, and awesome accounts I have heard.  A big, brawny, man’s man that had his own problems in life was plowing a field and was touched in a way that physically brought him to his knees in a sobbing lump.  He told me the story many times with a gleam in his eye.  It wasn’t until a year after that moment in the field that when sitting on the porch in his rocking chair, contemplating life, that God told him it was time.  He felt the presence of God and knew it was time.  He knelt on the porch at the foot of the rocking chair and said:

“God, if you will supply the preacher, I will supply the man.” – Rev. O.C. “Tommy” Dawson

So a man with a 6th grade education submitted his talents and abilities (the man), and God used Him as a preacher for 50 years.

For most of us, we’ll go through our Christian lives wondering if God has something bigger in store for us.  Some of us will deny being called by God.  Some of us will accept being called by God.  Some of us will never really feel called by God.  But at the end of the day, remember that those who love God are called.  It’s not a question of when, how, or where… you are.

Your pastor stepped up… and is being used by God in the way that is intended.  As Christians, you should step up and be available to be used by God with the talents and abilities you’ve been given.  Just because you don’t stand before a crowd and speak… you have been called.  Nothing is too small for God to use in your life to impact the life of another.

Are we clear?  Do we have a good connection?

May you take hold of your faith and Love God by loving your neighbor as yourself.  Open up the lines of communication to be one who Loves God… that’s the call.  Now go use the talents God has given you to excel!

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://www.livebold.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ga_thumb.png[/author_image] [author_info]Greg Arnold is publisher and founder of Live Bold as well as author of “DIRT: Uncovering Authentic Faith” and architect of the M3 Men’s Ministry framework.  You can read more about him on his bio page here on the site.<br><br>Follow on twitter:  Liveboldnow[/author_info] [/author]
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