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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Following God's Call"
January 26, 2011
I can't tell you how many times I have used Biblical heroes like Moses
and Abraham, Ruth and Esther as examples of faith in my preaching. We
read their stories and are encouraged to step out and follow God's leading. I
have even used them in my columns here on occasion. Yet, talk is cheap. It
is easier to talk about doing something than it is to actually do it.
I'll never forget an e-mail I received after one such article. The woman
thanked me and told me that she had decided to answer God's call. She was
going to take a new job she had been praying about. She said she heard
God’s voice in what I wrote. It meant a move across country and leaving
family and friends behind. I was struck by her courage and also by the faith
it took to make a change like that. It also scared me to think that God could
speak to her through my words.
I tried to remember what I had said. Most of us like the status quo. We
don't like change. The thought of leaving a comfortable environment to
follow God to who knows where is the last thing on our minds. As I looked
back through my columns I saw that I had talked about Elijah and what
happens when we listen for the still small voice of God. It struck me then,
as it does today, that when we really listen for God’s voice anything can
happen but blessings will always follow.
I know that is true because for over thirty-five years I have been tuned in
and listening for God’s call. Even though it was scary at times, I have never
regretted it. Thirty years ago it led me to seminary in Boston. Twenty eight
years ago I followed it to a small church in Charleston, Rhode Island. In the
summer of 1985 I was led to the West Side of Norwich and the good
people of First Baptist.
In my twenty five plus years in Norwich I have had the good fortune to
meet and work with so many wonderful people at church and in the
community. I thank God for the openings he has given me to share my love
of God through the many opportunities I have had to serve in the
community. I can tell you this: When you open yourself up to be used by
God, He will use you.
Here is a word of warning though. God is dynamic and always evolving.
He isn’t much for the status quo. He will challenge you and test you. You
never know what will happen when you listen for that still small voice. Do
you remember that young woman I mentioned earlier? In a few weeks I will
understand more fully what she meant. You see, in the last few months I
have struggled with the call like she did. Then one day I reread the story of
Abraham and knew what I was being called to do. I am going to answer the
call. God is leading me on to a new adventure.
On March 6th I will finish my ministry here in Norwich and begin in
Rhode Island. I have been called to serve as the new pastor of the Central
Baptist Church of Westerly..
I am going to be honest with you. I am scared to death but my experience
here in Norwich has taught me that when you trust God and follow him,
everything will be alright. Thank you for all your love and support over the
years. I pray it will come back to you as you follow the call of God on your
lives.
God blessed. See you in church. Cal
January 26, 2011
I can't tell you how many times I have used Biblical heroes like Moses
and Abraham, Ruth and Esther as examples of faith in my preaching. We
read their stories and are encouraged to step out and follow God's leading. I
have even used them in my columns here on occasion. Yet, talk is cheap. It
is easier to talk about doing something than it is to actually do it.
I'll never forget an e-mail I received after one such article. The woman
thanked me and told me that she had decided to answer God's call. She was
going to take a new job she had been praying about. She said she heard
God’s voice in what I wrote. It meant a move across country and leaving
family and friends behind. I was struck by her courage and also by the faith
it took to make a change like that. It also scared me to think that God could
speak to her through my words.
I tried to remember what I had said. Most of us like the status quo. We
don't like change. The thought of leaving a comfortable environment to
follow God to who knows where is the last thing on our minds. As I looked
back through my columns I saw that I had talked about Elijah and what
happens when we listen for the still small voice of God. It struck me then,
as it does today, that when we really listen for God’s voice anything can
happen but blessings will always follow.
I know that is true because for over thirty-five years I have been tuned in
and listening for God’s call. Even though it was scary at times, I have never
regretted it. Thirty years ago it led me to seminary in Boston. Twenty eight
years ago I followed it to a small church in Charleston, Rhode Island. In the
summer of 1985 I was led to the West Side of Norwich and the good
people of First Baptist.
In my twenty five plus years in Norwich I have had the good fortune to
meet and work with so many wonderful people at church and in the
community. I thank God for the openings he has given me to share my love
of God through the many opportunities I have had to serve in the
community. I can tell you this: When you open yourself up to be used by
God, He will use you.
Here is a word of warning though. God is dynamic and always evolving.
He isn’t much for the status quo. He will challenge you and test you. You
never know what will happen when you listen for that still small voice. Do
you remember that young woman I mentioned earlier? In a few weeks I will
understand more fully what she meant. You see, in the last few months I
have struggled with the call like she did. Then one day I reread the story of
Abraham and knew what I was being called to do. I am going to answer the
call. God is leading me on to a new adventure.
On March 6th I will finish my ministry here in Norwich and begin in
Rhode Island. I have been called to serve as the new pastor of the Central
Baptist Church of Westerly..
I am going to be honest with you. I am scared to death but my experience
here in Norwich has taught me that when you trust God and follow him,
everything will be alright. Thank you for all your love and support over the
years. I pray it will come back to you as you follow the call of God on your
lives.
God blessed. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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