Answering the Call
In 2002, our Roanoke pastor's son started a ministry called Answering the Call. https://www.answeringthecall.org/about This ministry still is passionate about taking the gospel anywhere God calls.
Every Christian has a calling. There is a general call, of course, to believe in Jesus Christ. But everyone who believes in Christ also has a special calling to a particular sphere of obedience and ministry.
Jeremiah had a tough call on his life. He was not just set apart for salvation, he was set apart for vocation. God had work for him to do. The prophet had a unique mission to accomplish and a hard to swallow message to deliver to his generation.
Part of Jeremiah’s job was to promise God’s grace to the nations, proclaiming, “all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord” Jeremiah 3:17 That was a welcoming message. The part of the prophetic message that included announcing God’s divine judgement was not well received.
In Jeremiah 1:7-8 God instructs...
You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.
Bible Study Fellowship authors write...
"Harsh circumstances and a hard message did not deter Jeremiah from fulfilling God’s call. Suffering often wears people down when one grief piles upon another. We cannot persevere through compounded hardship by merely bolstering our human strength. Instead, God calls His people to rely on Him when hardships test their resolve. God receives the glory when He does what we cannot.
God has positioned you in a world, city, neighborhood, and even a family with great spiritual needs….How is God leading you to reach out to those who may be unaware of the spiritual peril they face? If our comfort were God’s primary concern, He would immediately transport us to heaven. Instead, God leaves us here to make a difference. What comfort are you willing to forsake to obey God?
God has sanctifying, purifying, and positive purposes in everything you face."
So we lay our burdens down at the feet of Jesus and seek the face of God and listen for his call and instructions. James 1:5 has a wonderful promise on how to receive guidance for the tough calls.
If you ask, he has promised to answer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”
The Song
"I Will Follow" Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohvhmGSfxI
