The God Who Calls a People
- First Pres Bakerstown
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
The Subject of the Story: Moving from Mission to Call
In our modern world, we are surrounded by "mission statements." Whether in the corporate office or the local non-profit, we are used to gathering in rooms to decide what we want to accomplish, what our goals are, and how we will manage our energy. But in the life of faith, there is a fundamental shift that changes everything: moving from a mission we create to a call we receive.
When we talk about a mission, we often make ourselves the subject of the sentence. We will do this; we will achieve that. But the Gospel tells a different story. In the Kingdom of God, Jesus is the subject. He is the one who speaks, the one who acts, and the one who draws. We are not the ones starting the fire; we are the ones being warmed by it and sent out to share its light.
A Thread of Blessing
This isn’t a new idea; it’s a thread that runs through the entirety of Scripture. It began with Abraham, a man called not because of his own remarkable abilities, but because a gracious God found him. God’s promise wasn’t just to bless Abraham, but to make him a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.
This is the pattern of God’s grace: Grace always precedes obedience. Before Abraham took a single step, God pledged, "I will." This reminds us that our life with God doesn't start with our to-do list; it starts with God’s revelation.
The Center of the Magnet
That thread leads directly to Jesus. He is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham—the Word made flesh dwelling among us. Jesus described his work with a beautiful, magnetic image: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
The cross is not a place of coercion, but of self-giving love. It is the center point where our deepest needs meet His holy love. When we look to the cross, we aren't just seeing a historical event; we are seeing the "Subject" of our lives taking our place, defeating death, and calling us into a new identity.
Identity Before Activity
One of the most vital lessons we can learn is that identity precedes activity. We often burn out trying to do enough to prove who we are. But scripture flips the script. We are told who we are—chosen, a royal priesthood, a holy nation—before we are ever sent to do anything.
As a "royal priesthood," your life is meant to be a bridge. A priest stands between God and a broken world, conveying God’s blessing through prayer, hospitality, and truthful words. This doesn't just happen within the walls of a church building. Your kitchen table, your office, and your classroom are the small altars where Christ’s light is seen.
Living the Call This Week
So, how do we respond to a God who is already acting?
In Worship: Come hungry. Let the Word and the sacraments rename you. Remind yourself that you belong to Him.
In Community: Treat your time with other believers like a "laboratory"—a place to practice carrying burdens and speaking truth in love.
In Witness: Look at your "near field"—your home and workplace. Ask Jesus to make you a "quiet blessing" there through one small, faithful act this week.
Comments