What ambassador would go to a foreign country to represent his homeland without being appointed? What soldier would risk life and limb in a war-torn country without orders? What missionary would travel to a foreign country to endure pain and hardship without having been commissioned? What pastor would lead a church and endure being underpaid and overworked without a sense of God’s calling? What man would seek to lead God’s people in God’s land unless he was God’s choice?
When the people of Israel occupied the promise land, God knew they’d want a king. God required that the man who filled that position be not only distinguished but also distinctive. The king would have to be not only someone respected by the people but, more importantly, someone who revered God. The king was to be chosen by God.
Chosen? We can substitute the words ordered, commissioned or called. When God chooses us to do something, it’s as though God created us specifically for a task—just as he created fish to swim in water and birds to fly in the air. God chooses us for a variety of tasks. He calls some of us to be students, some teachers. He calls some of us to be married, some single. He calls some of us to Christian service in ministries, some to public service in government.
There’s an old joke about a farmer who looked up one day and saw the two letters “PC” in the clouds. Thinking this was a sign from God to “preach Christ,” he left his tractor and enrolled in seminary. But he struggled in his course work and, frustrated, turned to his adviser and told him about the vision he’d had. Knowing his struggles, his advisor asked, “Son, did you ever think that ‘PC’ might have meant ‘plant corn’?”
Think in terms of God’s choosing for your life. God has gifted you with special talents, insight, wisdom and passions. He created you to accomplish exactly what he needs you to do for him in this world. How do you figure out what God has in store for you? Through prayer, Scripture study and consulting people who know you well and understand what drives you.
Just as God had a plan for the person who would become Israel’s king, so he also has a plan for your life. Whatever you find God leading you to do, understand that it is part of your special purpose in this world. Whether you’re an electrician, lawyer, pastor, economist, missionary or trash collector, continue to follow God’s call on your life.
(Men’s Devotional Bible)
