The "call" is a peculiar thing. Pastors often refer to it as the extraordinary series of events, mental impression, or audible voice that led them to serve in ministry. The "call" often involves service in a specific location. And none of this is without precedent.
"They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." (Acts 16:6-10).
The details are abundantly clear: certain areas were forbidden, while one area in particular was to be the focus of ministry work. A vision referencing a specific region made the "call" abundantly clear.
Does the Lord Jesus have in mind specific locations for our service? Based upon this text, apparently so. At a certain time, for the apostle Paul and his traveling companions, there was a certain area that was to be the focus of their ministry efforts. And from their efforts in this area came significant results: many new converts, and the beginnings of new churches.
Apparently the Lord Jesus has designed for us to work in certain areas at certain times. The area of my ministry focus has changed several times in my lifetime, and I've always sensed a clear leading each time. All of the details of the "how's" and "why's" elude me even today, but the calm assurance that I have been led each time is sufficient. And the evident "fruit" of each location of ministry is especially reassuring.
You are where you are at this point in time for a specific reason. Pause and consider who is near you that the Lord has designed you to impact. And if there is a sense of restlessness where you are, perhaps it is the Lord's prompting to prepare you for ministry and service in another area. If so, a "Macedonian vision" (Acts 16:9) will soon follow to make the details abundantly clear.
Some would say "the devil is in the details", but the biblical perspective is that the Lord Jesus is in the details, and is intensely interested in your life and service. Go forward in service with that confidence.
Steve
"They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." (Acts 16:6-10).
The details are abundantly clear: certain areas were forbidden, while one area in particular was to be the focus of ministry work. A vision referencing a specific region made the "call" abundantly clear.
Does the Lord Jesus have in mind specific locations for our service? Based upon this text, apparently so. At a certain time, for the apostle Paul and his traveling companions, there was a certain area that was to be the focus of their ministry efforts. And from their efforts in this area came significant results: many new converts, and the beginnings of new churches.
Apparently the Lord Jesus has designed for us to work in certain areas at certain times. The area of my ministry focus has changed several times in my lifetime, and I've always sensed a clear leading each time. All of the details of the "how's" and "why's" elude me even today, but the calm assurance that I have been led each time is sufficient. And the evident "fruit" of each location of ministry is especially reassuring.
You are where you are at this point in time for a specific reason. Pause and consider who is near you that the Lord has designed you to impact. And if there is a sense of restlessness where you are, perhaps it is the Lord's prompting to prepare you for ministry and service in another area. If so, a "Macedonian vision" (Acts 16:9) will soon follow to make the details abundantly clear.
Some would say "the devil is in the details", but the biblical perspective is that the Lord Jesus is in the details, and is intensely interested in your life and service. Go forward in service with that confidence.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:10 AM
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