What You Are Called To?

Romans 8:31

[31] What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I was considering this morning, as I looked out of the condo we are staying at in Phuket, Thailand, how out of my element I really am.

I am in a very foreign country, as a simple visitor. I know how to say hello and thank you...that's it. If someone attacked me, I would be very helpless in handling the attackers, police, or medical personnel.

Just the other day an Australian man was killed by a Swedish/Turkish man in a road rage incident not too far away.

"What am I doing here!?"

But I have God. I know God. I walk with God. Ah, but do I really?

Assumptions...

Being a Christian is no guarantee that I am ever safe. Shoot, while living in Florida I could have been killed by some fool while driving to Lowe's on any given Saturday. I have no control over what evil men may do.

Oh, but HE does.

Yes, God, at the very least can end, thwart, or delay, anyone intending to rob, hurt or murder me. However, would He?

That is the question.

When you consider that in the early part of the book of Acts, Stephen gets killed by a bunch of hate filled morons throwing rocks, while Peter gets freed from prison by an angel!

Did God love Peter more?

NO!

God has a plan. A plan written from long before we were born.

Who we are, is important in that plan. If we are His children, a "stalk of wheat", then we are going to understand and accept the grace of God through Jesus Christ. That is a very good thing, because our whole life's purpose from that very beginning is to grow that bit of faith given to us. That growth is orchestrated by God, the Father, through challenges and circumstances both good and bad. All working together, by His own hand.

We are His work.

Of course we play a part, but in no way is anything we do, or don't do, going to change, delay, or thwart that plan. We just don't have that kind of power.

Only He does.

The only other thing that counts and the difference between Stephen and Peter, is THAT very plan. We call it a "calling".

A calling is simply Gods plan for your path of growth. Your path toward greater faith. It is HIS work, not yours...and He never fails.

Your calling could be to be a simple family man, raising up children to know God. It could be a simple man struggling in the workplace, being a half-decent example of faith to a co-worker as your spouse divorces you because of their own stupidity.

You could be called to a noble service for God in a local church, a ministry, or as a missionary. You could be called as one of the least, a faithful servant who appears to be struggling as goats look down on you in order to be judged. Or you could be called, like Peter, to a place where God thrusts you into a leading role in the world.

Either way, whichever "calling" you receive, there are concrete truths you are able to accept.

One, God is the Author, maker, and administrator of your calling.

Two, no one and nothing can stop this plan from unfolding, not the devil himself or even you.

Three, you are absolutely protected...until God wants you to either suffer or leave this world. It will not end early. It will end when your calling, your job, is completed.

Four, if it happens, if you do it, or if you don't do it, it IS what was always going to be.

You are HIS work, from start to finish.

So, Stephen did exactly as God planned, as well as Peter. They just had different callings, different stories.

The thing to know, is that YOU do not know your story, your calling, until it happens.

Oh, you can guess, but unless He spells it out prior, you are just guessing.

For me, I am guessing quite a bit, but still, I have actual events that point to a very controlled plan. In high school, I was attacked by a demonic presence and thrown across a room. God stepped in and said "NO, this one is mine!" I didn't know Jesus at all at the time.

Does this make me more important?

No.

All it does is show a future calling...one I am still guessing at...and for all I know, I may be almost finished, but no, I don't really think so.

I have had other experiences with the demonic, and even a rebellious angelic being. In each one, God, showed His power to the offending party, and made them scurry off rather quickly.

I am protected.

So, knowing this, why would I worry about a gang of thugs on a city street here in Phuket, Thailand?

Because my faith is so small.

I am His work.

His project, being prepared for whatever He sees fit.

Is it what I write, or is there something, like Peter, that I have yet to do?

I don't know.

What I do know, is that whether I accomplish it or not, is up to Him alone. As it says, He will finish the work He started...He always does.

Of course, He could have me get beat up by thugs. Not something I want to happen, but if it is necessary for my growth, He already has more than my "permission" to do so.

I accepted Him as Lord.

He always was, even over me, but my "acceptance" was a personal acknowledgement of a reality that always was and will be.

You see, this life, mine and yours, is part of His great plan. My only advantage is I firmly know my part in it is absolutely up to Him and is a good one.

He has told me so Himself...many times.

Can you also have this advantage?

I really believe so.

Why, because I know what I write is from Him, and if you are reading this, the message is for you...if you can hear it.

All you gotta do is ask Him.

He is a good Father, the best!

If you do see it, then you are HIS child too.

You are part of His plan.

You have a calling.

One you will not fail in.

Peter, Stephen, Bartholomew or a guy named Jeff, it doesn't really matter...just, hopefully, not Judas.