CALLED TO CALL
August 12, 2021
Prayer: Father, help us to follow Your call (Proskaleomai). We know You continue to hear and answer our prayers when you call (Qara’) out to You. Amen.
Scripture: While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 NAS
How many of you have said, “I was called to be an educator (teacher, administrator, or other specific title?) “Called” is the transliterated Hebrew word Proskaleomai, pronounced pros-kal-eh’-om-ahe, and it means to bid to come to oneself, a better understanding is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit inviting one to come to themselves. We often think of “being called” as being put to work or being given a specific task, as in “I was called to be a teacher.” In understanding the real meaning, we see first that we are responding to an invitation. God does not force us, He invites us. He initiates but we must reply. Secondly, He is inviting us to come to Him, to draw nearer to Him. If we are entrusted to serve Him in a certain role such as teacher, preacher, custodian, librarian, nurse, etc. we understand that it is our opportunity to be empowered, educated, and energized by the Spirit, to experience all that He is by working in us and through us. God does not need us to do anything. In this invitation to participate, we learn more about Him, and we grow in our relationship to Him. We become more attached and blessed when we are allowed to participate in His Kingdom plans.
Following Him in this entrusted service requires us to stay close to Him. If at any time we decide to “go it alone,” or engage in our own agenda, we are headed for disaster. Our job is simply our opportunity to draw near and serve Him, it is our blessing as long as we keep our focus on Him. Wisdom, strength, discernment, knowledge, patience, resources, security, protection, and everything else you need will come through Him to His credit and glory. We get to see Him move and work as we get up and go to school every day. There are some days that the patience He provides us with is proof alone that there is a God.
In understanding what it means to be called, please read the following Scripture:
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. The LORD keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 145:18-20 NAS
Not only do we draw near to God when we answer His call, but He is near to us when we call upon Him. The “Call” is transliterated Qara’, pronounced kaw-raw’, and means to cry out for help. God does not recruit you and then send you out on your own, He is near, He is here, in this room every week in your meeting. He is in your classroom, cafeteria, library, computer lab, office, teacher’s lounge, hallways, playground, locker room and in every closet, office, and corner of your building. There is not a single person, circumstance, problem, parent, or decision that you face alone. When you determine to seek Him, He is already there with you waiting to hear you ask for help. He hears you, keeps you, saves you, and fulfills desires that come from a true heart that fears Him. I pray that this is a comfort to those of you who have been feeling alone, abandoned, stressed, stretched, overwhelmed, overpowered,or on the verge of walking away. Call on God and overcome.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]