We see numerous examples in scripture of God calling on people to do His work. Just to name a few:
- While Moses was tending sheep, God called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-12)
- While Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites, God called him to lead Israel against their oppressors (Judges 6:11-24)
- While Peter and Andrew were fishing in the sea of Galilee, Jesus called upon them to follow Him; shortly after, He called James and John as they were mending their own fishing nets (Matthew 4:18-22)
- While Matthew was sitting in his tax collector booth, Jesus called him to be a disciple (Mark 12:13-14)
Different walks of life, one common theme – all of these individuals were called to God’s work while they were doing something else. What they were doing wasn’t necessarily spiritual in nature – they were going about their everyday lives engaging in activities related to their profession or their sustenance. None of them were necessarily looking for the opportunity to be a tool in God’s plan. Yet, they all became impactful for God and for the people they served on His behalf. Put another way…
God doesn’t call on couch potatoes.
How often do we wait around to begin serving God the way He wants us to? One of my early blog posts was on the idea of Perfection vs Progress. The perfect circumstances aren’t going to come. Sometimes, serving God means going out and just doing the things you would normally do and doors will open.
A couple of years ago, my work was hosting an evening event that conflicted with the midweek Bible study offered at the local congregation I attend. I told the director in charge of that department that I could stay until 7:00, then I would need to leave so I wouldn’t be late. It just meant I was going to miss the meal portion of the evening. That message didn’t filter down to a member of the staff in her department who came by my office a couple of days before the event because he saw I was on the attendee list and hadn’t selected a meal option. I explained I had spoken to the director and I was going to need to leave before dinner to “make it to church.” That simple conversation has opened the door for numerous spiritual conversations in the last two years. I wasn’t doing anything extravagant – I was just going about my life. And God put an opportunity in front of me.
And when those opportunities arise, remember our role is to plant and water – God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). I pray you will have many opportunities to serve God this week as you go about your day.
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