The Bible is full of examples of people responding to God’s call. When I started to look at specific examples, I became intrigued by the moment between the call and the response of the person. What happened in that moment that caused these people to respond the way they did to God’s call, and what can we learn from them?
When I focused on just the moment of the call, setting aside what I’ve read in the Bible about what happens next, I was fascinated by the different responses. Some responded immediately with little information–like Peter and Andrew who dropped everything and went with Jesus when he said “Follow me (Matthew 4:18-20).” Then there’s Abram. God said, “Go” and he went. Jonah, however, went the opposite way God instructed him to go.
There is a trust you must embrace when you chose to follow Jesus, an element of faith to discern his will and follow his lead even when it doesn’t make sense. The faithful followers of God in the Bible stumbled at times and wrestled with God’s call, sometimes trying to avoid his plan. We should be encouraged by this since they were only human like us. Which brings me back to that decisive moment when we face God’s call on our life.
Today begins a series of blog posts that will explore that moment of decision with people in the Bible. Even though you may be familiar with the story of the people I focus on, I want you to try to concentrate on just the moment they are asked to respond to God’s call on their life. Try to picture what it would be like to see Jesus approach you and say, “Follow me.” Imagine strolling through the wilderness and suddenly seeing the “marvelous sight” of a burning bush that isn’t consumed, and hearing that “the place on which you are now standing is holy ground (Exodus 3:4-5, NASB).” Pause in that moment and consider that God still shows up today in amazing ways to call people to follow him.
Join me each Tuesday for the next three months as we explore the moment of decision for so many people in the Bible. I pray you will be inspired to follow God’s will for your life.
© 2024, Chris G. Thelen
140 Character Christian 
Chris, I welcomed this introduction to your upcoming series. God’s peace.
Thanks. Blessings.
Hey Chris,
Super idea. “Why me … why now” is something I think about a lot. I believe this series will stimulate thoughts of past and future callings.
Thanks,
Ron
Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of God’s timing, or why he chooses us when it seems there are others more qualified. It’s reassuring to me when I see how others in the Bible wrestled with these questions. It is my hope that this series will deepen our trust and faith in God when he calls us to act. Blessings.
I’m afraid I have often been like Moses, coming up with excuses, then finally saying, “Send someone else!” 🙄
Thanks for sharing that. I’ve been there too. If we could only see ourselves as God sees us, not as we see ourselves or how others see us. He chooses us for a specific purpose, for this moment in time, and equips us with exactly what we need. May we follow God’s lead each day. Blessings.
Thanks!
I look forward to more of this series. I am sure you will expand on some stories that we tend to overlook.
It’s been interesting focusing on God’s call as I’ve looked at these passages of scripture. Thanks for reading. Blessings.