Am I Called?

by Alan Neech. My summary... keepinig this.. who knows I will need to remind myself in future.

Being called involves separation and sacrifice. Christ called men to self-denial and self-giving. The cost may seem to great initially but He also promised certain things to those who choose to obey.

How do you assess a call? The need (work that needs to be done) and your ability to meet that need. The principle found throughout the Bible is a missionary principle. Its total thrust is on Mission (from the Latin word missus = sent). God sent patriachs, prophetsm preachers and His Son. He still sends and sends those whom He calls.

God reaches heart and will through showing us human need.
He challenges us with the examples of others who have responded to His call and are doing His work.
He prepares us through circumstances and personal equipment to be able to do certain tasks.
He puts continuing pressure on our consciences until we are unable to escape giving a response.
He gives us some of His own deep concern for those without knowledge of Him.
Our love for Him, springing from an ever-deepiening sense of gratitude for His love to us, contrains us to only want to do what He wants.
Obedience to His will is a true missionary call.

We ought to have one, single, overriding incentive in our lives - to do the Fathers will. A Christian whereever he is, whatever position he is in should be able to say that he is where and is doing what he does because he believes that God has put him there.

Resons for a call - we are al l unworthy to do His service unless God calls us. We need to be certain that God wants us to be where we are, doing that. Because out there in the field, trials, hardships and many things will come against our way. We ust be willing to carry on, sometime struggle to hang on because we know God has called.

What kind of people hear God's call to service (missionary or ect)?
Those who are likely to hear are mot so much to do wtih the head as much as with the heart. Some qualities:
- servant heart, humility
- bearing witness to his faith in his own country where he is
- personal knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ
- spiritaul and self discipline
- determination
- ability to go well with others
- willingness to loose temporal possessions
- teachability
- sense of humour
Take heart. God equip those He calls, and will help you grow in all those places you're weak now. Just listen to Him!

How can I be sure that God is calling me?
God will confirm His call by inward peace, by opening ways, by removing difficulties (though sometimes it is deliberate to what we are made of), by supplying our needs and by granting faith, courage and determination needed to be obedient to Him.
Here is what the author summarize it: When people fall in love, some begin by wondering whether it is possible; then they feel that it may be so; and at last they are convinced it is true and they make the lifelong promise of marriage. Others literaly fall in love and every passing day only so confirms their certainty. A (missionary) call is not so different, For some it is a growing conviction. For others a sudden decision leading to conviction.
But one thing that is always true. Never be hasty. Wait on the Lord.

The author also believes in long term calls and not short term. Its a no good for ordinary people to go short term missions (unless it is for exposure) as it may do more harm than good. It takes time to learn the language, culture and people and just to adapt before becoming effective. Unless of course you have a specialized skill (eg doctors etc).