The Gentle Call

“Come.”

The call stirs me in the early hours of the morning. My initial response is “Oh, thank you. But respectfully, not yet Lord.” I lie in bed and thank Him for the day, secretly hoping it will send me back to sleep.

This particular morning felt different. Many times when I’m tired and my sleep is interrupted, I feel anxious and spiral into thoughts of an exhausting day that I won’t be able to handle. In my mind, I seem to collapse like some 1950’s starlet who doesn’t have the “composition” for stress. 

But this morning, I noticed the calm. I experienced how peaceful His call is to me. It’s a gentle beckon, not a bellowing roar. He could easily send me spinning and pander to my anxiety by shouting, “Your day will be difficult without Me! You’re going to struggle so hard if you don’t spend time with Me! You’ll see!” 

Instead, my Father patiently calls me to rise up and respond to His call. He teaches me that having obedience in simple steps produces a steady walk of faith. He is redefining my meaning of rest. Much like He did with the woman at the well, God takes our persistent human needs and asks us to trust Him with a spiritual inheritance.

Joseph was called by God to a difficult task. He stood by Mary and bore the shame of her growing belly because he chose obedience to God’s call in his life. In verse 21, an angel told Joseph to name the baby Jesus “because he will save his people from their sins.” His people. Through the faithfulness of family members appointed by God, Jesus bridged the gap and made us family. 

What call is God placing on your life? What steps can you take in obedience? 1 John 4:18 tells us that “there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 

Ask for His guidance as you consider the earthly desires you are afraid to surrender. Pastor Armstrong said, “The mission of God is not for the faint of heart.” Call out to God today. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” As we replace our fear of the unknown with a respectful fear of God, we are granted the treasures of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge (Isaiah 33:5,6). How will you respond today?

Photo credit: Sandra Kaas