Called to Serve

"Fine, Lord, I'll serve."

At the beginning, it was a wholehearted, enthusiastic, unrestrained, "Yes, Lord. All for You, Jesus. All for You!!!" Now, I'm 'older'; the passion, the drive and the enthusiasm are all still there, but the realities of life are crowding in. What have I really accomplished?

That's the point - I'm not 'called' by the Lord to 'accomplish' anything. That's His Work; I'm just called to serve. So, here He is, calling me again, to step into something new - a blog.

Oh brother, who would ever want to read my idle ramblings? Well, it has to start somewhere, and it has to start with someone, so it might as well be me. I am being called to write this blog... for you, for me, and for the Lord Jesus Christ. (Lord, You did hear me ask, "Why me, right?") So, while I don't rightly know what 'it' is, I am responding affirmatively.

What about you? Are you called to serve? Forget about this crazy idea that by becoming a Christian, you became a volunteer for whatever some 'authority' has in mind for you. If you know Christ, then you've been CALLED to serve HIM. He has put a burning desire in your heart to do something for Him. What is it for you? What gets you fired up for God? ARE YOU DOING IT?

It took me three years to make my initial 'big' leap of faith. I was raised as a conservative Baptist, but I heard God asking me long after my delayed commitment, "What did I (God) lose while you (Howard) waited to respond to MY Calling?"

Guys, don't wait. Don't delay things. There is no one else to do the things that are uniquely yours. (I'm no theologian, but I know the Bible backs this up - sorry, no chapter and verse; every Christian is supposed to know this.) Get on with your calling - as you are called. Not too little, and not too much. Walk side-by-side with the Lord as you do His Work and you will receive the crowns that He's set aside just for you.

And, sooner or later, you'll be wondering just like I do, "Why me?" Dare I be so bold to answer in His place? Because He loves you and wants to do GREAT things through you! It's that simple.

You are CALLED.

- Howard