Is God Calling?

Last week we survived the first week of football practice. This was not something I had planned on, it wasn't even a blip on my radar just 2 months ago. However, my son showed an interest, we did some research and now he is a member of the youth football team. The first day of practice was a bit nerve-wracking for him, he had no idea what to expect, but he did have fun and wanted to go back. The second night was more fun and hard work. By the end of the week he was given all of his equipment and was placed on a team. I wasn't with him when he got his equipment but when I pulled in the driveway Thursday night there he was head to toe in his helmet, pads and uniform. Suddenly he looked like a real football player, it was a pretty crazy transformation.

God does the same thing with us. Just like my son didn't have any of the equipment he needed to play football, all he had was a desire, so it is with you and me. When God calls us to something, whether it's to lead a class, witness to a friend, sing a solo, give an offering, whatever it is, if God calls us, He equips us. All He needs is a willing person. 

My son didn't get a phone call asking him to come be a part of the youth football team because of his amazing ability to throw the football in the backyard with his dad. Nor did he get a call to play because he already owned all the equipment. No, he went to the team and said, I want to be a part of this; from there the coaches are making sure he has everything he needs to be a part of this team. And to be honest, my son didn't know a whole lot about football before last week (still doesn't, it's all a learning process), he didn't know which position he should play or the right way to block or anything.

When's the last time you asked God to be a part of His team, regardless of what that looks like?  You don't have to know which position you should be in, you don't have to own all the equipment, you don't have to know all the plays, you just have to have a desire to be a part of the team and sign up. 

Once we sign up and say, 'Ok Lord, here I am, use me', the next step is to listen and move! If my son got out on the field and then just sat there, that wouldn't make him very valuable to the team, in fact, he would then be dangerous and a hindrance to the team. But my son does whatever the coach tells him and quickly! There's no questioning the coach's direction, no wondering if it's the right thing to do, no arguing, the coach says it and the team does it. The team, each member, is confident in the coach's ability and they are trusting his expertise in the game.

We need to do the same with God. We need to go when he says go, without arguing, without waiting (delayed obedience is disobedience). We need to and have every reason to trust God's leading and direction. He will never lead us somewhere we shouldn't go, He will never ask us to do something He hasn't equipped us to do, He will never send us off on our own. 

Has God been calling you on to the field? Are you ready to make the play? The team needs you!

"You also are among those who are called..." Romans 1:6