4 Ways God is Calling Even if Your Friends Aren’t
Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash
I check my phone again. Feeling the need for connection, I scan the screen in anticipation someone has reached out.
Nope.
Not this time. I check again a little later in the day.
Nada.
Surely someone wants to go shopping or to lunch or on a walk? Or just wants to check in on me to see how I am doing.
I may not necessarily go, but want to be asked (Enneagram 2 anyone?).
But all I hear are crickets.
We all long to belong. We all long to be chosen (see Picked First here).
These are just a few desires of our hearts. Yours may look different, but our unfulfilled longings remain as long as we inhabit these earthly bodies.
We were not created for this world. We were created for the perfection of heaven - the perfection our original ancestors forfeited (as any of us would have).
Therefore, we will never be fully satisfied – and be without groaning spirits – until we are Home with the Lord (Romans 8:23).
While people may not be calling, texting, or reaching out in the way we would like, God is calling.
“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. ”
That’s right. The Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega is calling you, calling me.
He gently nudges us to look up to Him, but we must battle the weight of the world’s temptations pulling our heads down to find fulfillment elsewhere.
He is calling us to live life with Him in the royal residence – His kingdom. The beauty and splendor of His Kingdom are breathtaking although not completely visible from earth.
This calling is high and holy yet dangerous and targeted. This kingdom, like every kingdom has an enemy.
And we have a choice. To answer the call of heaven or the call of earth. Are we going to be like Mary and make the better choice than Martha?
Here are four ways God is calling. Can you hear Him?
Heaven on Earth
“Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 ESV, emphasis mine). As Jenn Wilkin says in her God of Creation study, God is continually trying re-Edenize the earth and invites us to join Him.
Heaven is indescribable, but one thing I am sure of it is a place of beauty and order.
He calls us to beautify our small place in the world offering a place of welcome to others and loving them with our words and actions. We join God in His work when this kindness in turn draws others to Him (Romans 2:4).
Peaceful in the Storm
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
We know this world is temporal and not our home. We need not be surprised at news of corrupt leaders, wars, natural disasters, etc. As Solomon points out in Ecclesiastes 1:9 there is nothing new under the sun.
While these are serious matters and we need to provide aid and serve justice where possible, we know God is still in control.
Even in the midst of the pain and heartache, God calls us to rest assured, knowing heaven is our perfect eternal destiny.
Shine
We are called to live in the world, but not be of it. Which means our words and choices will not always be popular with the crowd.
It takes courage and resolve to swim upstream and live for Jesus in a world valuing your stance - only if it agrees with theirs.
When we do everything without complaining and arguing, Scripture says our innocence will shine like stars in a crooked and depraved generation pointing everyone to the Bright Morning Star (Philippians 2: 14-15, Revelation 22:16).
Be His Messengers
In the heavenly roll call, we are all evangelists or a ‘bringers of good news’.
Our lost and desperate world needs to know they can be delivered from the dominion of darkness by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
While sharing His truth and good news whenever and wherever we go may not produce a visible harvest now, we have hope sowing eternal seeds will someday germinate into a heaven bound soul.
I check my phone again and I wonder. How many other people are checking their phones hoping for connection?
I pray and ask God, Who would You like me to reach out to today?
Loneliness is not to be taken lightly - we were made for relationships and need them. But let’s not forget our best, and highest, friend connection.
Our heavenly Father, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is calling us. And when we answer, He replies;
“Hey, good to hear from you. You have been on my mind….for a few millennia…”
How do you feel God is calling you today?
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