Celebrating the freeing, supportive presence of God. So your experience of God may become your experience of life. It is wonderful what God can do!

06-05-2005

FOLLOW YOUR CALLING

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES FROM THE BIBLE IS ABOUT SAMUEL. SAMUEL HAD AN UNUSUAL AND UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCE WHICH CHANGED HIS LIFE.

LET'S TURN TO OUR SCRIPTURE READING FOR TODAY.

Samuel Warns Eli
¹ Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. ²And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, ³and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, ⁴that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!" ⁵So he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down. ⁶Then the LORD called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." ⁷(Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) ⁸And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. ⁹Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, "Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. ¹⁰Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears."
¹⁹So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD.

AND HOW MIGHT YOU TALK ABOUT OR CHARACTERIZE THIS EXPERIENCE OF SAMUEL?

THIS IS A STORY OF SAMUEL RECEIVING GOD'S CALL FOR HIS LIFE, WHAT GOD WANTED HIM TO DO WITH HIS LIFE.

FOR SAMUEL, IT WAS TO BE A PROPHET.

I HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH SEVERAL PERSONS LATELY. AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN DOING IS TO HELP THEM DISCERN GOD'S CALL IN THEIR LIVES.

IN FACT, TOGETHER, WE LOOKED UP AND READ NOT ONLY ABOUT SAMUEL'S CALL IN HIS LIFE, BUT WE LOOKED UP AND READ ABOUT MANY OTHERS' CALL IN THEIR LIVES, MOSES, JEREMIAH, EVEN JESUS HIMSELF, PAUL.

IT SEEMS THAT GOD HAD BEEN CALLING PERSONS INTO MINISTRY OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE AND OVER HISTORY.

THEN, THROUGH A SERIES OF WRITTEN EXERCISES, WE BEGAN TO WORK TOWARD EACH MEMBER OF OUR CLASS UNDERSTANDING GOD'S CALL ON THEIR LIVES.

FOR, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT GOD CONTINUES TO CALL PERSONS INTO A PATH OF SERVICE MEANT FOR THEM TO DO.

AS WE STUDIED ABOUT GOD'S CALLING PERSONS, WE ALSO NOTICED SOME INTERESTING THINGS.

FOR INSTANCE, FROM THE STORY ABOUT SAMUEL RECEIVING HIS CALL, AT FIRST HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT GOD WAS EVEN SPEAKING TO HIM.

THREE TIMES HE GOT UP IN THE NIGHT AFTER HEARING A VOICE AND WENT TO HIS PRIEST, ELI, TO SEE IF HE HAD CALLED HIM.

SOMETIMES WE MAY NOT REALIZE THAT GOD IS CALLING YOU OR ME.

CERTAINLY TOO THIS WAS AN UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCE FOR SAMUEL. FOR NOT ONLY DID HE NOT REALIZE THAT GOD WAS THE ONE SPEAKING TO HIM, HE CERTAINLY HAD NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE SUCH AN EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SOMETIMES, A CALLING IS LIKE THAT, IT COMES UNEXPECTEDLY, OUT OF THE BLUE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT GOD WANTS US TO DO.

AS WE STUDIED ABOUT PERSON'S EXPERIENCE OF CALLING, WE ALSO CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT GOD OFTEN ASKS US TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS WITHIN US ALREADY. IT IS A LOVE OR A PASSION THAT WE ALREADY HAVE. AND WITH THAT INTEREST, THERE ARE ALSO OFTEN THE GIFTS OR TALENTS TO FULFILL THAT PASSION ALREADY GIVEN TO US.

SO, FULFILLING ONE'S CALLING MAY OFTEN MEAN TO BE WHO WE ALREADY ARE, WHO GOD HAS ALREADY MADE US TO BE.

AND THEN THERE IS THE WHY QUESTION. WHY WOULD GOD ASK US, ASK YOU OR I, TO FULFILL A CALLING?

I BELIEVE THE ANSWER TO THAT HAS TO DO WITH GOD'S REDEEMING PURPOSE. IN OTHER WORDS, GOD IS ALWAYS SEEKING TO REDEEM, TO MAKE THINGS BETTER THAN THEY WERE, TO HELP PERSONS DISCOVER LIFE IS A BLESSING.

SO, IF YOU EXPERIENCE GOD'S CALL IN YOUR LIFE, IT PROBABLY HAS TO DO WITH GOD'S OVERALL PURPOSE TO REDEEM. GOD WOULD LIKE YOU TO HELP REDEEM IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

AND WHY AM I MENTIONING ALL OF THIS, ALL OF THIS ABOUT CALLING?

AS I WAS HELPING OTHER'S CONSIDER GOD'S CALLING IN THEIR LIVES, IT HAS COME ABOUT THAT GOD WANTS ME TO CONSIDER GOD'S CALLING IN MY LIFE TOO.
FOR THE OTHER DAY, NOT VERY LONG AGO, I TOO RECEIVED A PHONE CALL. IT WASN'T IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT HAPPENED TO BE IN THE EARLY EVENING. THE CALL WAS FROM RUTH ELLEN HOYLE. REV. RUTH ELLEN IS THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF OUR GENESEE VALLEY DISTRICT.

SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN MEETING WITH THE CABINET AND THE BISHOP. THE CABINET ARE OTHER DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE BISHOP WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPLYING PASTORAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE HUNDREDS OF UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES THROUGHOUT WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK.

THE BISHOP AND THE CABINET ENTER INTO A PRAYERFUL DISCERNING PROCESS TO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND WHERE PASTOR'S CAN SERVE WITH THEIR GIFTS THAT BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF CHURCHES.

IN SHORT, RUTH ELLEN WAS TALKING TO ME ABOUT CALL, WHERE GOD WANTED ME TO SERVE WITH GIFTS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF A PARTICULAR CHURCH.

AND, AS SHE BEGAN TO DESCRIBE A PARTICULAR SITUATION AT ANOTHER CHURCH, LIKE SAMUEL I BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT GOD WAS CALLING ME AGAIN.

I HADN'T EXPECTED IT OR EVEN WANTED IT.

BUT, THERE I WAS, NOT JUST TALKING TO RUTH ELLEN, BUT WITH A SENSE THAT I WAS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AGAIN, AND GOD'S LEADING ME.

SO, AS I FELT GOD'S CALL WITH YOU TO COME TO PERRY AND SERVE YOU AND OUR COMMUNITY, I HAVE FELT GOD'S CALL AGAIN.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED AND APPOINTED TO SERVE THE GENESEO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN GENESEO, NEW YORK.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS VERY UNEXPECTED NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT FOR YOU TOO.

AND THE NEWS IS TOUGHER IN THAT APPOINTMENT CHANGES ARE SCHEDULED YEARLY FOR JULY 1. WE HAVEN'T HAD TO THINK ABOUT THAT FOR AWHILE.

MY NEW APPOINTMENT WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1ST, WHICH I KNOW IS NOT VERY FAR AWAY.

THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS. USUALLY WHEN A PASTOR IS CALLED TO SERVE A CHURCH, THEY MOVE TO A PARSONAGE IN THAT COMMUNITY. GENESEO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DOES NOT HAVE A PARSONAGE, SO IT OK FOR US TO LIVE IN OUR PRESENT HOME.

BUT THOUGH I WILL LIVE NEARBY, I OF COURSE CANNOT FULFILL ANY PASTORAL DUTIES HERE. I WILL SEEK TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR NEW PASTOR. I KNOW YOU WILL TOO.

RUTH ELLEN HAS ALREADY MET WITH OUR PASTOR PARISH COMMITTEE, YESTERDAY, TO WORK ON A WHAT IS CALLED A PROFILE OF OUR CHURCH. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROFILE IS TO HELP PAINT A PICTURE, SO TO SPEAK OF WHO YOU ARE AS A CONGREGATION, YOUR NEEDS AND INTERESTS, STRENGTHS AND GROWING EDGES, TO HELP SEE WHO COULD CONTINUE TO HELP YOU THROUGH PASTORAL LEADERSHIP.

ROY GRISWOLD IS THE CHAIRPERSON OF OUR PASTOR PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE. HE CAN BE HELPFUL WITH OTHER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO HIM, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO TODAY. ALSO, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PPR COMMITTEE ARE GLAD TO BE HELPFUL TOO.

I KNOW THERE CAN BE MANY EMOTIONS UPON HEARING THIS NEWS. I KNOW THERE IS FOR ME AND NANCY TOO. OUR EMOTIONS TODAY CAN INCLUDE SHOCK, ANGER, SADNESS, EVEN A LITTLE DEPRESSION, ALL THE EMOTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GRIEF. WE NEED TO ALLOW ONE ANOTHER OUR FEELINGS AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

ALSO, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH ANYONE TODAY OR IN THE DAYS AHEAD TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE.

LOU GERIG WAS A GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES. THEN, DURING HIS CAREER, HE GOT A HORRIBLE MUSCULAR DEBILITATING DISEASE WHICH WAS LATER NAMED AFTER HIM, LOU GERIG'S DISEASE.

BUT FOR ONE FINAL DAY, IN A FILLED TO OVERFLOWING YANKEE STADIUM, HE SPOKE TO THE FANS WHO HAD SPECIAL DAY FOR HIM. THOUGH THE DISEASE WAS ALREADY BEGINNING TO TAKE ITS DEADLY TOLL ON HIS LIFE, HE CHOSE NOT TO TALK ABOUT HIS DISEASE, EVEN HIS DEPARTING. HE CHOSE TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE. HE SAID, "I AM THE LUCKIEST MAN ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH."

THOUGH FORTUNATELY I AM NOT EXPERIENCING ANY DISEASE, I TOO FEEL I HAVE BEEN THE LUCKIEST MAN ON EARTH HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.

ANOTHER TRUE STORY. SOME OF YOU KNEW GWEN NELSON. SHE WAS A TEACHERS AID AT THE PERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SHE WAS SOMETHING VERY, VERY SPECIAL ABOUT HER. HER SMILE, HER CONTAGIOUS LAUGH, SHE LIFTED UP EVERYONE AROUND HER.

SO, IT WAS HORRIBLE SHOCK WHEN SHE DIED FROM A HEART ATTACK WHILE SHE WAS IN SCHOOL. FORTUNATELY, NO CHILDREN SAW IT.

HER LOSS WAS KEENLY FELT.

THEN WE WENT TO THE FUNERAL AT A FULL TO OUT THE DOOR EATON WATSON FUNERAL HOME. HER PASTOR, A BLACK BAPTIST PASTOR FROM HER CHURCH IN ROCHESTER GAVE THE SERMON. AND I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. HE SAID, "IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU, IT IS ABOUT GOD. IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU, IT IS ABOUT GOD."

WE WERE SO LOST IN OUR GRIEF THAT MAYBE FOR A MOMENT WE DID THINK IT WAS ABOUT US. HE SAID THAT GWEN IS OK. SHE IS WITH HER HEAVENLY FATHER. GOD HAS CALLED HER HOME.

SOMETIMES PERSONS MAY THINK A CHURCH IS ABOUT WHOEVER THEIR PASTOR MAY BE AT A PARTICULAR TIME. BUT I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT A PARTICULAR PASTOR.

FOR REALLY IS IT ABOUT GOD AND GOD'S CONTINUED CALLING FOR PERRY UNITED METHODIST AS A WHOLE, THROUGH DOING MANY MINISTRIES.

IT IS ABOUT FREEING, SUPPORTIVE PRESENCE THAT GOD OFFERS THROUGH YOU. IT IS ABOUT YOUR OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS. I KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED YOU AS A CONGREGATION.

AND WE KNOW, THOSE MANY, MANY MINISTRIES, LED AND FULFILLED BY YOU, ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT NOW, THAN BEFORE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO FULFILL THE MINISTRIES GOD HAS GIVEN US TO DO FOR OUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY.

CONTINUE TO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND GOD'S CALLING ON YOUR INDIVIDUAL LIFE AND BE FAITHFUL TO THAT. THAT IS WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND THOUGH THERE MAY A BE A TIME OF GRIEF, AND SENSE OF LOSS, THAT I AND NANCY ARE EXPERIENCING TOO, I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE RENEWED AND ENERGIZED WITH AN EVEN GREATER SENSE OF GOD'S PURPOSE THROUGH YOU.

AND THOUGH I KNOW THAT THIS IS UNEXPECTED AS IT WAS FOR SAMUEL AND HIS CALL, I KNOW THAT GOD CONTINUES TO DESIRE TO FULFILL HIS WONDERFUL REDEEMING PURPOSES THROUGH YOU.

I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU. I ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR NANCY AND I.

AND MAY WE CONTINUE TO HAVE IN COMMON BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD'S CALL ON EACH OF OUR LIVES.

LET US PRAY.

DEAR GOD,
AS YOU CALLED SAMUEL LONG AGO, WE REALIZE THAT YOU STILL CALL. THOUGH LIKE SAMUEL, YOUR CALL CAN BE UNEXPECTED, HELP US EACH TO RESPOND LIKE SAMUEL, "SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING."
AMEN.

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