We have been called what are we going to do with that calling?

The call to leadership or action by the Lord (Judges 4:1-10)

In the beginning of the chapter four we see that Israel has once again fallen into sin, and is now calling out to God for help.  God hears there pleads, and calls out to Barak to go and lead His armies to victory.  The only problem is Barak balks at the call; he seems to be afraid that God isn’t going to give him the victory.  So he tells Deborah I will go only if you go with me.  This is not the first time we see God call someone to something and they seem to have a lack of faith.  Remember Moses in Exodus 4:1-12, Moses is called to go speak to the people of Israel and Pharaoh, but keeps coming up with excuses.  Just like Barak God says now instead of doing something great for me I will give that to someone else.

When we are called by God He will be with us (Judges 4:12-16)

Barak wanted Deborah to go out with him even though there was no good reason, as Deborah told him in verse 14. “ For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. ^uHas not the Lord gone out before you?”  How many times do we need to be remained of this that God is always with us?  We have all been called to come and give our lives to Christ, with that calling we are to go make disciples.  But how many times do we find ourselves just like Moses or Barak making excuses about telling people about Gods love.  Throughout time missionaries have been told by family and friends that they should rethink about what God has called them to do because it may be too dangerous. Such is the case with John Patton.

“John Patton set his heart on one island in particular. Twenty years earlier two missionaries had gone to that island. They were killed and cannibalized. So it was no surprise that many dissuaded Paton from even the thought of following in these missionaries’ footsteps. Paton wrote, “Amongst many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, ‘The Cannibals! you will be eaten by Cannibals!’” John Paton replied to this man, “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.” The old man left the room, exclaiming, “After that I have nothing more to say!” At the age of thirty-three, John Paton traveled to the New Hebrides with his wife. The journey was not easy. His wife and newborn child died within months after arriving, and he found himself alone, digging their graves with his bare hands. He faced threat after threat upon his life. But in the years to come, countless cannibals across the New Hebrides came to know the peace of Christ, and the church across Australia, Scotland, and the Western world was challenged to rise up and make the gospel known among the peoples who are toughest to reach.”

The question is are we willing to put our trust in God and go where he calls us, and to speak to those He wants us to speak to, knowing that He has gone before us? Or do we want to stay comfortable and not do anything out of fear and not watch God work in our lives or the Church? Where do we find such confidence? Paul tells us in 2^nd Corinthians 3:7-16, Paul tells we have no excuses because unlike those of the Old Testament we have the power of the Holy Spirit.

Platt, David (2010-04-17). Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream (p. 176). Multnomah Books. Kindle Edition.