WATCHWORD:
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:28-30
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
Meditation:
The Call of the Mild?
I don’t recall how old I was when I first read the book Call of the Wild by Jack London. I just know the story-line stuck with me from that moment on. Maybe it was the setting in Alaska that captured my imagination. Maybe it was the fact that the story line was about a dog that found strength in adversity. Maybe it was a happy ending or most likely, it was all of those. For a young boy, it is an heroic story.
You may recall the storyline. It’s about a dog named Buck living a pampered life on the family ranch in California. Buck is a big dog, possibly a St. Bernard, very friendly and lovable. The year is 1900 and the gold rush in Alaska is in full swing and there is a great shortage of sled dogs. Buck is kidnapped, taken from his comfortable life and forced to learn how to survive and do the work of a sled dog. In the process his life is radically changed, the veneer of lovable and friendly is altered.
You may think that this storyline about a dog learning to survive in Alaska has no bearing on our lives. But think again of the track of our lives, as we have grown from childhood into adulthood. All the twists and turns along the way. Who’s in charge? Who is guiding those changes? When you embraced Christ, did that make a difference? When did it dawn on you that following Jesus was not always easy? That serving others as Jesus teaches requires that we change, that we drop the veneer of self-sufficiency.
That old comfortable life-style that we so favored was changing and maybe we didn’t like all those changes. However, as long as we think that we are of value to the mission and purpose of God, we are of no use to Him because we have our own purposes, feeding our ego may be one of those.
Oswald Chambers addresses this in one of his devotionals. This is what he says: “But if you will allow Him to take you to the end of your own self-sufficiency, then He can choose you to go with Him to Jerusalem. And that will mean the fulfillment of purposes which He does not discuss with You…It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us, not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience. All of that is of no avail for this concern…the compelling purpose of God…”
Buck’s comfortable life on a ranch in California did not prepare him for life in Alaska, he had to change to be of service in the call that he had no control over. We, like Buck, a bit mild and a little self-focused, don’t know where our Lord is calling us, even this present day, but we do know, whether we are aware of it or not, that He has equipped us to answer His call and to overcome the rough patches that lie ahead. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack. — Oswald Chambers
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
