The Call Of God - How to Live as a Disciple of Christ

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19, NIV)

“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” (Acts 26:19, NIV)

God is in the business of calling people to himself to accomplish kingdom tasks. For Abraham, God called him to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household. He was to follow God to a land he had never seen. God promised to make him into a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless the nations of the earth through him. He obeyed and this call was fulfilled as Israel became a people.

After the death of Moses, Joshua was called to help God’s people cross the Jordan River into the land God had promised them. God promised to be with him just as he was with Moses. He was called to lead with unwavering strength and courage. His guide was to be the Book of Law that was written by Moses. To carefully do everything written in it in order to ensure prosperity and success. As promised, God was with him wherever he went.

The apostle Paul had a vision while praying in the temple where he saw the Lord calling him to hurry and leave Jerusalem because the people there would not accept the gospel. Paul obeyed the call, left Jerusalem and spread the gospel to the Gentiles.

Jesus invited simple fishermen to leave their nets, accept him as their teacher and accompany him to all the places he went. He taught them to be people who fish for men. And in the process, they became His disciples.

As Jesus left this earth, he extended a call on those who would be His followers. This call was to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey His teachings. He promised to be with His disciples until the very end. This call is for all believers.

While I was graduating from high school, I knew and understood God was calling me to serve Him. I surrendered my life to Him, asking Him to use me however and wherever for His glory. Soon after, the Lord called me to serve the poor and the vulnerable by preaching the Good News to them. I equipped myself for this service by training as a doctor and becoming specialized in public health. When the time came for me to go to the frontlines, I was ready. And so far, the fruit of this work has been more than I could have imagined.

Reflection: How has the Lord called you to serve His will? May your response to Him be what Paul states, when we all stand before the King of kings to give an account.