Frustration To Affirmation

This morning, in our staff meeting, this was question was presented to the whole staff:

"What frustrates you?"

I could have listed off a number of things that frustrate me: people who go 55 in the "fast lane", people who chew with their mouth open, my inability to get hop out of bed the FIRST time the alarm goes off, and my very short comings in spending time with the Lord daily.... But I didn't go crazy.

Let's think about some prophets : Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Amos and Jeremiah.  In most of their Prophetic Call's they all have resistance... it may have even caused frustration. They all doubt their own abilities- they all try to make GOD rethink their call. No one says (that we have proof of through scripture) "YES! I'll go now, God! It doesn't matter how long, it doesn't matter what you call me to do, I'll do it."  In every story, there's hesitance, questioning or frustration. All of these people, obviously, get over their skepticism but,  it is never an immediate response on their behalf.

Through scripture we see this pattern to those receiving a prophetic call: (someone who God calls to proclaim and teach of His goodness)

• Commission- The actual calling of God TO the person
• Resistance- The person questioning and showing apprehension
• Reassurance- The affirmation from God to GO and proclaim 
• Acceptance- Living the Life into which God calls

Let me just say, I am no prophet. I am about the furthest thing from a prophet, some days, I don't even know my left from my right, much less how in the world to declare and proclaim God's goodness to others. BUT,  I often find myself going through that SAME Prophetic Call cycle.... Commissioning, Resistance, Reassurance and Acceptance obviously on a much, much smaller and less life-changing "call" scale.

In my life,  these "calls" were directions in which the Lord was SO closely leading me, teaching me and initiating all of my major decions. (For example: where to attend college, calling to Ministry with Children and Families and most recently, my call to move here!)

We can see that God calls people to two things:   (1) call to Salvation and (2) call to serve Him in the world. We see through scripture that God's callings to people are a vital part of How people come to see Him in the world. 

Here are some examples:

• Call to leadership like Moses.
• Call to missionary proclamation of Jonah.
• Call to motherhood like Mary.
• Call to disciple making like Peter, Andrew, James and John.
• Call to conversion like Saul. 
• Call to ministry like Timothy. 

WHAT in the world am I saying with all of this information? I'm saying that it's natural to be frustrated, timid, or skeptical about when, where or how God is calling you. It's natural to NEED reassurance that your option is right. (Some need it more than others, like myself.)   We have such beautiful stories through scripture to look back on and see how God called ordinary people like you and me, to do things that advanced His kingdom. God has blessed us beyond belief, making us in His very image.  We are given the privilege of going into our families our schools and our work places to be THE  reminder of Christ to others!  

HOW is God calling you to do that? WHERE is God calling you to bring His perfect love, immeasurable grace, and unwavering justice? WHAT is God calling you to DO on HIS behalf?   Lean into it, friends! He will affirm you, guide you and lead you in all of the right directions.