The Missionary Call – Dr. Charles Stanley
I've heard every reason you can imagine for avoiding missionary
service: "I haven't been to seminary." "I can't preach."
"I'm too old." "My family
won't go for it." On and on the list goes. Let me tell you that there
are thousands of active missionaries who once thought that God couldn't use
them either. I often have the privilege of hearing their stories of how the
Lord turned resistance into enthusiasm.
People can offer God plenty of reasons why He shouldn't call
them to spread the gospel. But His call is not issued for our consideration; He
expects a response of obedience and surrender.
A believer is accountable only to say yes to God's call. It is
the Lord's responsibility to equip the chosen for the work He's assigned. A
personal plan has been mapped for each believer's life, and God provides the
personality and temperament that suits. Then He adds skills that can be
developed and the spiritual gifts necessary to fulfill His mission.
God makes His call with wisdom and discernment. He knows why He
created you and what you're capable of accomplishing in His strength (Eph.
2:10). Rejecting the invitation to serve Him is foolish. It would be like
telling almighty God that He made a mistake. But surrender opens the door to a
lifetime of service, blessing, and joy!
Mission work can occur near or far. You could serve: at
home by writing to prisoners; down the street by dishing out meals at a
shelter; across the nation by providing flood relief; or in a foreign land by
translating the gospel. In short, a missionary calling is whatever God tells
you to do.
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