When God Calls You Out

By Dean Collins

When was the last time God prompted you to do something? How did you respond? If you are a person who reads scripture, prays, and you identify yourself as a follower of Jesus, then it is very likely that you get these nudges from God from time to time, if not often. And if you are like most of us, some of these nudges seem clear and, in all honesty, aren’t that hard to do. It might be as simple as:

·      The sense that you should call a particular person and check on them or encourage them.

·      The belief that you are to make a financial gift to the church or to some Christian cause.

·      A prompting to pray for a certain person.

·      Or maybe you believe you are to share your faith story with someone at work or from some social group you are a part of.

Often you easily respond to the nudge because it seems clear that it is the right or loving thing to do. And all of us sometimes get lazy or tired and unfortunately miss the blessing of helping someone in need.

But what about those times when you believe you are to do something that seems, well, bigger than you? Maybe it is to pursue a job that you had never thought of before. Or to lead a small group at church when you have never done that before. Maybe it has to do with restoring a relationship that is broken and you have avoided for so long you think there is no hope of restoration. 

When we believe that we are prompted to do something unusual for us or even beyond our natural skill set, we might find ourselves in a situation like Gideon in Judges 6-8. Along with all of the Israelites, Gideon was living in fear of the Midianites who had oppressed Israel for 7 years. Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press and hiding from the enemy when God sent an angel to tell him that God wanted him to lead the battle against the Israelites’ oppressors. 

If you ever wondered if it was okay to ask God questions and try to explain to God how he must be mistaken when he asks you to do something, then you are in good company with Gideon. He did all that and more. And in each case, God was clear and direct as to this assignment being for Gideon and no one else.

There are a few lessons we can learn from Gideon’s story.

1.     If you ask for God’s help, then make sure you follow God’s plan. The Israelites cried out for help but didn’t want to give up their worship of false gods. They remained stuck in their sins until Gideon burned their idols.

2.     God doesn’t need the strongest, the smartest, or the best trained. All he needs is for you to use your courage and follow him where he leads.

3.     God doesn’t call us because of who we were. He calls us to become who he created us to be and makes us to become in Christ.

4.     God calls us to loyalty to him above our loyalty to everything else, including our family, our country, and all other tribes or groups we claim. Jesus meant it when he said, “Seek first my kingdom and everything else will be added to you.”

While Gideon tried to argue his way out of his assignment, God called him a mighty warrior and told him not to fear because he would be with him.

Father, today we surrender to your call in our lives. You have declared us your workmanship in Christ, and you have given us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Today we set aside our fear and will be courageous as we step into the work you have called us to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Judges 6 and 7 ESV

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