You are Called. Now Get Chosen

REMEMBER THAT SCARY-FUN MOMENT WHEN YOU FELT CALLED TO DO SOMETHING SPECTACULAR?

You wanted it so badly, but past experiences convinced you otherwise.

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BACK IN GRADE SCHOOL gym class, the teacher would select team captains to play ______ (name the game). And then those captains would take turns choosing players for their team.

. . . and you were chosen LAST.

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IN HIGH SCHOOL, college and beyond, wanting to be a part of something grand, to join the celebration that would outdo all celebrations, to become a member of that special Society or Ensemble that everyone was applying for…

. . . but they didn’t pick you.

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IF YOU DON’T POSSESS the skills, the looks, or the knowledge the world says you need, then how do you get chosen for a mission that is so grand it’ll knock yer socks off?

A SHORT PARABLE:
(This is adapted from a wedding banquet, but it applies to any glorious invitation. link)

The (VIP) sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But the invitees refused to come!

He sent the servants out again
“Come!” the servants cried. But the people ignored and made light of the summons, treating it with contempt and they went away.

But the VIP did not give up. “Go out again!”
The servants went into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad [evil].
Unlike the previous invitees, this motley crowd came dressed for the event.

The VIP threw a party so grand, it was talked about for eternity!

Why is this?

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I DESIRE to make a difference. In my home, in my vocation, in my neighborhood, among my friends. To inspire, to spark improvement, to influence.

ALL OF US ARE CALLED to a greater purpose than our small minds can imagine.

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BUT FIRST,

HOW TO NOT GET CHOSEN:

(REMEMBER GRADE SCHOOL . . .)

Today, when the team captains start calling out names, do you cower near the exit?
Wallow in self-pity?
Automatically deem yourself unqualified?
Wander over the sidelines and despise the elect from a distance?
Or march off and start your own team, “We’ll show them!”?

That’s not being chosen.

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WOW! Read that truth again. Absorb it.

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Today, this very hour, is your opportunity. But you must step forward and say Yes.

HOW TO SAY YES when you know you don’t qualify but the calling is too magnificent to pass up:

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” (CALLED)
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.  (CHOSEN)

(Isa 6 <–Isaiah, who knew he was UNQUALIFIED, had a transformational encounter worth taking the time to read about)

Okay, you’re already called ⇐ established fact!

Now it’s time to wave your hand in the air and shout,

“SEND ME! SEND ME!”

He’ll chose the one who eagerly seeks His Kingdom.

HIS KINGDOM IS SIMPLE: Love God, Love People

You could be the one God is calling to:
INTERPRET the dreams
PART the Red Sea at work
RAISE the dead objectives of your organization
EQUIP the next generation of teachers
HEAL a broken city through leadership (officer/statesman)
FREE slaves from darkness
SAVE a life deemed unsalvageable

HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LIVING OUT HIS CALLING

OR SERVING MY OWN AMBITIONS?  The evidence?

Your work, your way:
Driven to prove yourself
Constant Striving
Constantly Competing
Constantly Stressed
Extending work hours to achieve success
Values forsaken
Living for the accolades
Happy outside // joyless inside
Praised by your fans (and feel guilty about your evil, selfish methods)
Sleepless nights
Overly busy

God works through you:
Your mind at peace
A sense of joy at the core
Patience with others (as opposed to putting up with them)
Self-control
Willing reliance on Heaven’s strength
Focused on acts that convince others of your love for them
Doing your absolute best with excellence (but letting God worry about the result/outcome)
A balanced life (includes routine downtime)
You feel rested
Sensing a supernatural empowerment
Every morning you wake up with an eagerness to huddle with the Capitan and find out that day’s game plan

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AN ALL-KNOWING, all-powerful God has already called you to partner with Him in something greater than yourself and beyond your human ability.

Humble yourself
Step forward
Raise your hand
Cry out,
“Here am I.
Send me!”

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The Way of the Embattled Spirit