Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CALL (01/14/16)
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TITLE: Go or Come or Be Still | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ernest Yoder
01/21/16 -
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“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 2:1, NIV) This was the second time Jonah was called and this time he went.
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us….” (Hosea 6:1, NIV) This is the word of the Lord in the middle of a long sermon Hosea was moved to preach to the errant people of Israel.
“Be still and know that I am God….” (Psalm 46:10, NIV) is in the lyrics of a song that calls us to revere the sovereign God of our refuge.
These are three examples of God calling people to do something. Any of the three calls cannot be obeyed without a response in one way or another.
It is interesting to note how we are taught to perform tasks by going or coming. When we first learn to walk we are cajoled to go to Mommy or come to Daddy. We do it with tottering steps. It is a part of learning how to get things done. Or perhaps the pre-toddler is simply being taught to learn how to maintain his balance by standing still.
God’s call on our life is a big obedience picture. His callings fit the gifts He has blessed us with. We are happiest when we respond in a positive way to His promptings, and then trusting Him to take us through our task to completion. As we mature in our Christian lives it is important for us to seek our proficiencies.
There is always a divine purpose in God’s call on our lives. With Jonah it was a lesson of obedience for him and a revival for the Ninevites. With Hosea the purpose was for him to not give up on his people, and for them it was an opportunity to repent of their rebellion. With the recipient of the psalm, which is anyone who reads it, “Be still,” is putting us on notice that it may be time to hit the pause button and ponder on what we are doing and ask God for revelation on the next step.
God’s call is always for our best. It can be going or coming or being still. Any of these responses are appropriate at the right times. The important thing to do is obey.
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However, my understanding is that starting any article with quoting scripture is not a good idea. Why?
Look to Jan's writing lessons in the forum for the answer. She explains it very well. Keep writing!
God bless~
God Bless~
I love your devotion. Sometimes we get in the mindset that we always have to be doing something. Lately, God has been using a number of ways, including your devotion, to tell me that right now I need to be still.
I know God has gifted me as a writer; so I am waiting on him to show me how he wants me to use that gifting.
Your example of a toddler learning to walk tied your message together nicely as well.