. . . for necessity
is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! —1 Corinthians 9:16
We are inclined to forget the deeply
spiritual and supernatural touch of God. If you are able to tell exactly where
you were when you received the call of God and can explain all about it, I
question whether you have truly been called. The call of God does not come like
that; it is much more supernatural. The realization of the call in a person’s
life may come like a clap of thunder or it may dawn gradually. But however
quickly or slowly this awareness comes, it is always accompanied with an
undercurrent of the supernatural—something that is inexpressible and produces a
“glow.” At any moment the sudden awareness of this incalculable, supernatural,
surprising call that has taken hold of your life may break through—”I chose you
. . .” (John 15:16).
The call of God has nothing to do with salvation and sanctification. You are
not called to preach the gospel because you are sanctified; the call to preach
the gospel is infinitely different. Paul describes it as a compulsion that was
placed upon him.
If you have ignored, and thereby removed, the
great supernatural call of God in your life, take a review of your
circumstances. See where you have put your own ideas of service or your
particular abilities ahead of the call of God. Paul said, “. . . woe is me if I
do not preach the gospel!” He had become aware of the call of God, and his
compulsion to “preach the gospel” was so strong that nothing else was any
longer even a competitor for his strength.
If a man or woman is called of God, it
doesn’t matter how difficult the circumstances may be. God orchestrates every
force at work for His purpose in the end. If you will agree with God’s purpose,
He will bring not only your conscious level but also all the deeper levels of your
life, which you yourself cannot reach, into perfect harmony.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” September 29)