The Call of God
by Jill Southern
In Bill Hybel’s book on courageous leadership he says the Body of Christ is the hope of the world, and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders. So it’s high time for the most unlikely and unusable to stand up, like Peter and the eleven disciples in Acts, and raise their voice and declare out the message of Jesus to a hurting and broken world.
As we look at the story of David and Goliath we find the Bible describes the preparation of David and all the years of learning and patience he had to undergo before he was ready to enter his destiny. He had to be patient about his calling, following his anointing by Samuel, and he had to be faithful in his father’s house. David faced many ‘giants’ before Goliath. He’d been able to kill a lion and a bear. God had been preparing David with a sling and stones while he was in the fields. He’d become a crack shot. Do you think David thought he was doing anything ‘spiritual’ when he was practising with his sling, day after day? God will use everything He has invested in us - even those things we think are unimportant. God prepares us as we’re doing things which seem small and insignificant. Like David, as we step into situations that have been predestined for us by God, and which we’ve been prepared for, we’re to rise up and fulfil our assignment and calling under God.
One thing is absolutely necessary – more than gifting, authority or revelation. The main ingredient that enabled David to take Goliath out was focus. Every great man or woman of God has to have this quality. David’s single-mindedness showed a heart and mind which was focussed. He lived for one thing. He ate and slept it. All his energies, emotions, mental strength and spirit power were channelled into it. So when David pitched up at the battle, cheese sandwiches in hand, he surveyed the scene: an arrogant, uncircumcised Philistine defying what should have been a bold, confident, Covenant-minded army, and he said “something needs to be done about this Philistine”.
God has called each one of us to do something, and that something is unique. We should reach for it, and press forward, forgetting the past. We should discipline ourselves, sacrificing anything that would distract us from the heart of what we have to do. Jesus set His face like flint towards His purpose. Isaiah 61 prophesies about the Spirit of the Lord being upon Him and why. Jesus knew the reason for His anointing. It was to heal, to deliver and to declare. He knew it and stayed focussed to complete it until He could finally say ‘It is finished’.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You’ve placed a vision in every single one of us. Thank You that Your calling in our lives is irrevocable. For those You’ve called, You will equip. Help us, Lord, to be single-minded, with hearts united towards you. As we seek your face, bring Your heart deeper into ours. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jill Southern is the founder of Ellel Ministries Pierrepont and directed the work for 21 years. She has recently stood down from that role but still teaches on the NETS programme and has the passion to train and equip God`s people to fully walk in their destiny and calling. She is the Regional Director for Ellel Ministries International in South East Asia and China and is also on the Executive Leadership of the ministry.
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