Despite Doubt: Promise, God’s Will and Answering God’s Call

Despite Doubt: Promise, God’s Will and Answering God’s Call

            What are the promises you have made to God? Maybe you promised

to love another person through all circumstances in marriage. Maybe you promised to bring up your children in faith until they could claim the promises themselves. Maybe you promised to answer God’s call and you are not sure of what this means for you right now. Or even maybe you are not knowing what promises you have made- because you have broken many, you don’t know God’s will for your life because you are not really sure and in answering God’s call, your phone rings more than the prayers you offer to God. But in contrast to all these things you have a deep faith in Jesus our Saviour and you are wondering what it is that God really wants you to do with your life. You have some idea of your gifts that you offer to God but putting it together is something that is not necessarily what you had in mind years ago. You are no longer comfortable in what Christ wants you to do.

            “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”  Does this statement hold any value for you? If you how? What do you do for Christ that will last? Or are you only thinking short-term? If you give to support the ministry of your church now are you thinking of the seeds that are planted by each person in your church family as they reach out to others? Or are you discouraged by the seeds which seem to fall away.

            How do you discern God’s will? By limiting ourselves to what we find in scripture we will focus on God’s moral will. God is more interested in how we live than what we do for a living, where we live and who we live with. Colossians 3:23 Work at your career with all your heart as working for the Lord. You are free to marry any Christian single, but having chosen one, you must become one. (Ephesians 5:21-33) You are free to live anywhere you please, but having chosen a place you must seek the peace and prosperity of the city (Jeremiah 29:7). The Bible also helps us to face difficult decisions by listing the central values and recognizing who you are.

            What does it mean to answer your call? Each of us who have accepted Christ must answer the primary call to follow but the shape of this call looks different for each of us, depending upon where God places us. But no matter what God calls you to do remember that it is the work of Christ that you do- loving others as Christ loves you.

            REFLECTION

It’s check up time:  What promises have you made? What values do you have that need to be reviewed? Why?  What are your top five callings? Have you answered all of God’s callings on your life?

PRAYER

Holy God your promises to us are true and yet we fail to always keep ours. We break the promises without fully understanding the consequences. We worry about who we are as individual people and how we might discern our gifts and follow you. We wonder if what we do is worthwhile in your eyes and yet for most of the time we continue to plant seeds. Help us to keep our promises, discern who we are in you and to fulfill our call to serve Christ. Erase the doubt and lift us up as your followers in faith and in love. Amen.

Michael E Wittmer, Despite Doubt: Embracing a Confident Faith ch.17-19

PLEASE NOTE: Apparently these reflections were not sent out via email throughout the months of July and August however, they were posted to our website on a regular basis. If you would like to read the preceding reflections focusing on Wittmer’s book please go to www.glenwoodunited.com and click on for Social Media—Rev Dr Catherine’s blog and these are listed there.