YOU HAVE A CALL FROM GOD – DO YOU ANSWER OR IGNORE IT?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were
together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus
came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he
said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were
overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with
you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he
breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them,
they are not forgiven.”
(John 20:19-23)

MEDITATION:
Can you imagine how intense
the emotion was when Jesus appeared to His disciples?
After days of hiding, afraid for their lives
and mourning the loss of their Master,
the followers of Christ were stunned
to see Him standing before them in a locked room.

If the shock of His appearance wasn’t enough,
think about the statement He made:
“As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
The weight of that comment must have seemed overwhelming.

After years of hearing Jesus talk about His divine purpose,
now the disciples had been given a similar commission.
Just as the Father had sent Jesus, now Jesus was sending them
into the world to spread the gospel, heal the sick, serve the needy,
and glorify the Father.

Many Christians may read that passage and think,
“I’m sure glad I wasn’t there to receive those marching orders.”
But guess what, as believers, we are also His disciples,
so we received the same directions as the other disciples.

That room didn’t just contain the 11 remaining apostles.
Luke 24:33 reveals that other followers were “with them.”
So in John 20:21, when Jesus said,
“I also send you”, He was talking to the whole body of believers.
Over two thousand years later, this commission still applies to you and me.

ACTION:
Jesus’ command to make disciples “of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19)
is a task that is too big for a handful of individuals.
It’s a call for every believer, in every country,
in every generation, to accept this mission.

Christ is sending you somewhere for a purpose,
whether it is in your backyard or halfway around the globe.
Are you ready to go?
Are you already going?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I know I am not worthy to be called
by You, but I know that since You have called me, You
will provide me with everything I need to answer Your
call to serve. Help me to clear my mind of all the negative
thoughts and rationale for not responding to Your call for
me to be a part of what You are doing. Teach me how to
depend on the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gift You have
given me to confidently serve in whatever capacity You
want me to serve. Thank You for considering me worthy
to be used by You in spite of my faults and failures.”