February 16, 2012 - Acts 22:21b

“’Then the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’” Acts 22:21 – part 2.
The crowd was on edge, yet was attentively listening to Paul’s every word. He spoke of his zealousness in serving God as a Pharisee; how he sought out followers of Jesus to beat, to imprison, and, as in the case of Stephen, to kill them. Paul was speaking of his being disqualified from service to the Lord, but Jesus had other plans for him. Paul told the crowd of Jesus’ call for him to take the Gospel “far away to the Gentiles.” At this, the crowd, who had been listening carefully, began to shout out against Paul, pleading that the earth should be rid of this man. Yet Paul was recollecting for the crowd the crucial moment of Jesus’ call for his life. This is the moment that Jesus laid out the direction that He desired for Paul to journey for the remainder of his days. Paul clearly understood this call and submitted to it out of gratitude and willingly and boldly proclaimed this at every opportunity.
In my journey, I have struggled from time to time discerning what God has called me to do. It was crystal clear that He called me to be a loving husband and father, yet beyond that, it became cloudier. In looking back, I am not so sure that I would have been all that willing to follow through with His call, even if I had known it. I was a very self-centered and strong-willed person who needed God’s character refinement. As I learned more about laying my own will down and submitting to God, I started to have a clearer understanding of God’s direction. It is clear to me that, whatever direction He wanted me to go, He called me to walk faithfully, honestly, with integrity and a willingness to serve His purposes, no matter where I am. And that is my heart’s desire.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed God’s call in your life? If so, what has God called you to do, and are you doing it? If not, do you desire to know His call? Do you know how you discern His will? What is God’s direction for your life?
Prayer: Father, I don’t doubt Your call on my life; I doubt my ability to hear Your call clearly. My desire is to hear You and to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.