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                                                                                                        Seventy-second Edition - October 2013
The Bridge


 
What is a calling? Do I need to be called?

 

The issue of a call into missions has been a source of confusion and frustration for many. Am I called? Must I have a call? Should I wait for a call to a certain country? What is a call really like? I have an interest in being a missionary; is that a call?

 

One of the reasons for such confusion is that it seems the Lord is pleased with calling people in many different ways. Consequently trying to give a single definition to a call is difficult. There are just too many right answers.

 

Example of Paul

 

The example of Saul on the road to Damascus is often used as an example of a clear call. The Damascus road experience was actually a conversion experience for Saul, not a missionary call. Then God used Ananias to convey the message that Saul was to carry the message of Jesus to both Gentiles and Jews. There was no call to a particular country, and the people groups mentioned included everyone.

 

Quite a while later, while ministering in Antioch, God used the church leaders to commission Saul to go on an evangelistic trip. So his call was instruction given by a group of spiritual leaders.

 

Another incident in the life of Saul, by now called Paul, that has affected our understanding of call occurs in Acts 16 when the Spirit, through a vision, redirects them to Macedonia instead of Bithynia. This is often referred to as the Macedonian Call. This was clearly the Lord answering Paul's prayer about where to go next but was not a call into missions. Paul was already spreading the gospel, asking the Lord to tell him where to go next.

 

Example of the Apostles

 

 

All of Jesus' apostles became missionaries, and they scattered to various parts of the known world. Since there are no New Testament books written to chronicle their travels, we know little of how they determined where to go. We do know that they heard their Lord's command to go into the world and make more disciples. So they did. How they determined who went where we can only surmise. But from the example of Paul's travels we can assume that the Spirit of God gave them direction through spiritual leaders, through their own prayers, and through visions.

 

What about Today?

 

In the above accounts, each one began communicating the message of the gospel right where they lived. They were being obedient to the command to make more disciples. In the course of being everyday witnesses they were made aware of opportunities in other locations, so they traveled there. They trusted the Spirit to confirm or change their direction. Where they went was not determined on the basis of how easy or difficult it would be.

 

This model works today. We have the same command to make more disciples. We have the same Spirit giving us direction. We hear of needs and opportunities. We trust the Spirit of God to give us peace and direction as we take steps to meet those needs. We continue in that role until he gives new direction.

 

Whether you use the word "call" or refer to it as God's direction, it is helpful to be able to identify a point in time when you sensed God giving you new direction. This helps in two ways. One is that it enables you to articulate to others what you believe God is saying. The other is that it will serve as a stake in the ground to keep you on course when things are difficult and you want to quit.

 

A Final Note

 

Doing nothing to make more disciples is not an option for a Christ-follower. We have been given a command. Non-compliance is being disobedient. This does not mean every Christ-follower has to go to some other region of the world. But just as in many of the examples recorded in scripture, we need to be active in making more disciples right where we are. If in that lifestyle the Spirit indicates he has another location for our disciple-making, then we obey.  Since at that point we are "sent," we are then called a missionary, which means a "sent one."

 

 

Next Steps

 

Are you communicating the message of the gospel right where you live? If so, continue doing so. If not, list one step you could take in that direction.

 

If you believe God is directing you into a mission role, take some time to identify when and how that became clear to you.

 

Have you filled out a personal Service Profile on one of our websites?  This free, no-obligation service provided by MissionNext will lead you to a number of actual mission opportunities that match your experiences and interests.  Perhaps the Lord will use this to lead you to the place where He would like you to be His "sent one." 

 

 

      
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March 7-8, 2014      Trinity Church - Mesa, AZ

    

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   Don ParrottDon on boat
   CEO, MissionNext