Drawn to God | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Drawn to God | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Powers
01/19/16
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I’ve been waiting for The Call.

My name is Daniel Smith and I’ve been told since childhood that I’m going to be a preacher. Since I was a kid, members of my church and visiting preachers have laid hands on me and told me I should be waiting for the Call. I guess it makes sense: After all, my father is a preacher, and he’s the third generation of Smiths who’ve preached at our Church.

I’ve read and studied the Bible since I could read. I learned memory verses before I went to kindergarten. I was baptized when I was 11. I’ve been ready for God’s Call since as long as I can remember.

Except: I don’t think I’ve heard it. And, now, I’m sitting here with an acceptance letter to seminary in my hands. And, for some reason, I can’t bring myself to tell anyone – especially Dad.

Do people still actually hear God’s Voice? Should I wait for a special revelation - or is this letter all I need to confirm my Calling?
Maybe I should just move forward in faith, as Dad often tells me.

“Dear God, what am I supposed to do? I’ve been listening for Your Call. Shouldn’t I have heard it, by now?”

I sighed and furtively looked up; no one else was there. I reached into my bottom dresser drawer and looked under my summer clothes, at a hidden pile of art school catalogues. Then, I reached under the catalogues, pulled out a thin folder, and looked inside.

Inside are my drawings. I’ve never shown them to anyone. Because, after all, what would be the use? I’ve loved drawing since I was young. I like to draw Bible stories: the Woman at the Well; The Parting of the Red Sea; Noah’s Ark, and others. I can’t explain why I love drawing so much, but I just do. My parents know I draw, but while my mother has often praised my efforts, my father has told me to “stop wasting God’s time” whenever he’s seen me sketching.

Dad’s message is clear: since I’m destined to be a preacher, I shouldn’t ‘waste God’s time’ with any other pursuit. But… I haven’t thrown out those art school catalogues.

Not yet.

I know my drawings are a foolish, time-wasting thing, but I can’t help but wish…. Well, wishing won’t get me anywhere. I sighed and stood, and began placing the sketches back under the art school brochures. It was time for me to get serious, and tell Dad about the seminary letter.

“Danny,” he said, softly. Was I imagining Dad’s voice, because I was thinking of him? But, no: he was here, in my room.

And he was looking at my drawings.

I immediately blushed and shoved them quickly back in the drawer. “Sorry, Dad. I was just looking at them for a minute. “

He had a look on his face I’d never seen before: astonishment, regret and curiosity; mixed together. He reached toward the drawings. “May I?” he asked.

What could I do? I gave him the folder, and waited for his inevitable lecture. Maybe if I showed him the seminary letter before he had a chance to speak, his lecture wouldn’t be so harsh. I gritted my teeth and waited. I knew better. I should have thrown my drawings – along with those art school catalogues – in the trash, long ago.

“So, I see you’ve gotten it,” Dad said quietly, after what seemed like an interminable wait.

“Well, yeah, but…?” I held out the letter. How could he have known?
He shook his head, and pointed to my drawings. “These are what I mean. You got the Call.”

“No, Dad, I didn’t…wait… what?”

“I’m sorry, Daniel. I know what I’ve said about your drawings - but I was wrong. I had no idea God has given you such a gift. These drawings are … wonderful. This,” he gestured again to the drawings.
“This is your Call.”

I couldn’t believe it. “My drawings?” I asked him. “You mean: my art is my Call?”

He smiled. “What? Did you think God’s Call only comes to preachers? He calls each of us for His special purpose. And I can see your drawings are blessed, by Him.”

My heart was full of thanks as I hugged my father. I guess I saved those art school applications for a good reason.

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1 Corinthians 7:24 “Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”

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