God’s calling is a favour to man

We hardly think of the call of God as a blessing from God; we often see it as an unnecessary burden. God is in the business of calling men into His kingdom service. He calls those whom He wants to partner with Him to extend His kingdom. One of the greatest privileges is to partner with God in kingdom business.

Firstly, the calling of God is an invitation of God to man for a relationship with him. Secondly, to serve him. A man’s destiny is greatly enhanced when he responds to the call of God. Three good examples are Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3; and the Apostle Paul who was “called to be an apostle,” that is, a sent one (Rom.1:1). The third is Jonah, who declined the call of God, but was eventually used by God to deliver the city of Nineveh. The lives of these men changed because they responded to God’s call and service.

The call of God is a demonstration of His grace, His wisdom, His mercy and kindness on the chosen vessel. Every believer is called by God and has been endowed with different gifting with which to serve and fulfill his/her callings. God called all of us, but not all fulfilled their calling. To fulfill ones calling requires total obedience and a deliberate effort to please the one who has called us.

The pattern of God’s calling is this: God uses the least vessels to accomplish the most task in His kingdom.

Paul says: “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” (Ephesians 3:8 KJV).

And for God’s decision to use the least for the most significant assignment, Paul shows his gratitude thus: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief,” (1 Timothy 1:12-13 NLT).

Paul re-echoed God’s pattern of calling for service thus: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world; things counted as nothing at all and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God,” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT).

In God’s quest for the least vessels to use, He engaged a herdsman and fruit gatherer like Amos for service. As he said: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, go, prophesy unto my people Israel,” (Amos 7:14-15 KJV). God’s calling is His discretion, His choice and privilege for those who are called.

God granted Paul a rare privilege to preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ. He called Amos and anointed him a prophet to Israel. Though God’s call is a privilege and favour, it comes with enormous responsibilities.

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