Responding to a Call from God

 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

    before you were born I set you apart;

    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:4-10 

The call of God comes in mysterious ways! I think of a movie, “Field of Dreams,” in which Ray is called upon to build a baseball field in the middle of an Iowa cornfield at the peak of the farm crisis. The risk is that Ray will lose his house and farm. The word comes to Ray by way of a simple whisper to “Build it and they will come.” Or another to “Ease his pain.” Ray had to build the field! 

Additionally, Ray had to go find a writer who had written an article about one of the ball players. That journey was wrought with all kinds of adventure as well.  But Ray faithfully heeded the call and did what had to be done. On this journey, they pick up a young ball player who was meant to be part of this game as well.

Upon their return, they find the ball field completed and legendary players out in the field or at bat! Eventually, everyone is on board with the whole intent of the field, even those who were the “naysayers.” The climax is when Ray sees his own dad in the field and plays catch with him.

Cathy and I were at the Field of Dreams and found it to be a very meaningful experience to see the sight of dreams. A family was playing ball and I even went to bat, two strikes and a base hit!

This experience is of the profound impact and ultimate authority that the call of God can have on us. Ray had to build that ball field! Jeremiah had to respond to the call of God to be a prophet to Israel. The good news is that we have this unshakable call given to us – without excuse!  God will help us and give what we need to do that call in Jesus’ name!

Prayer: O God, let us listen and dare to trust that You have called us for something to do. What will it be? How will we know it’s Your call? Help us to listen, sense the direction of Your Spirit, and dare to say yes, without excuse, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Rev. Dr. John J. Duling