God's calling us...

Sometimes God's call is a small, quiet voice. Sometimes, it jumps out at you. Sometimes it comes with such compelling that you can't help but follow... Last Friday night, I had the privilege of going to the commissioning for all of the TREK teams that are going on short or longer terms with MBMSI...

...it brought back so many memories for me of how God called me into ministry, in particular how exciting it was to be commissioned by a church into God's work. There was a worship time last night and a prayer time for each of the groups. One team is going to Egypt, another to Mexico and a third to work in Thailand for 3 years, including one girl named Bitsy Warkentin.

I sat behind Mr. and Mrs. Warkentin. They sat with their daughter, Bitsy. I sat beside my daughter, Kate. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Mrs. Warkentin's head at that moment. I thought about sending my own daughter to Thailand for 3 years. Not easy. I wondered how I would feel sending her off to another land - alone - although she's on a team. I suppose I would come to peace with her calling.

I don't know the Warkentins. I'm sure somehow, someway, we are related. But, I don't know them. I don't know what they think or how easily they trust God. They seemed content with their daughter's decision to go to Thailand. They seemed excited to watch her follow God's call.

The verse that God used to call me into ministry was this one, Luke 12:48 "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

I remember thinking about that verse - and all that I was given in my life - a good home, all the comforts of north american living, a christian education, a supportive family..... and that verse became God's personal calling on my life.

It was emotional for me to watch Bitsy determining to follow God's call to Thailand for 3 years. It took me back to my own call and I felt "re-charged" somehow.

Everyone has a different kind of call - and most of the women in our church have never been called to go to Thailand. So then, what have most of us been called to?

Has God call you? Is He calling you still? Did He give you a verse?

I look forward to hearing how God has spoken to you and called you.

sharon