Wednesday, September 21, 2016
There is an interesting event which happened during Jesus’ earthly ministry which should be enlightening to all who aspire to serve Him. While in Capernaum preaching at a synagogue and later performing miracles of healing, He rose up very early the next morning and went to a solitary place, probably to pray. Soon after, a group of people who had seen His miracles the day before approached Him pleading with Him to stay in their town. Jesus replied: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43) As a child and servant of God, whether you consider yours a calling or not, God has a purpose for your life and as Jesus indicated here, we are to be true to it and be careful not to be distracted or swayed from it. I suppose that Jesus would have loved to stay with the people of Capernaum on that day but if He was going to fulfill His purpose, He could not.
Another example of this truth is the calling of Joshua. The Lord, apart from telling him to be strong and courageous, gave Him this command: “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7) This another way to tell someone to stay on focus, to not deviate or be distracted. Sadly, there are many servants of God, pastors in particular, who publicly have involved themselves, more than they should, on matters of this life, especially political and social issues. Is that what the Lord called them for? Even common sense should tell us that time spent on these matters will be time taken away from the people they have been called to lead and serve.
Whatever your calling or purpose, stick to it and try to fulfill it to the end. You’ve heard the phrases “too many pans in the fire” and “jack of all trades, master of none.” Don’t be that person. By all means, don’t neglect the rest of your obligations, but stick to what God has called you to do, employing the gifts He has given you. We all deviate from time to time, and when we do, Let’s ask the Lord to get us back on track.
God’s promise for today: (John 12:26) Jesus said: “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
