You Have A Missed Call.....

I knew a guy once. He was one of the guys I looked up to when I was very young in the faith. He was smartly dressed, clean cut, and had a zeal for his church life, his Bible, his faith and for his God. He had a big bible which he read often and cross referenced with colours, markings and annotations.  He and his chum were inseparable when it came to church life and services. They were a great team to watch. I always loved going up to them and saying Hi and sharing a laugh. I always truly believed that there was a calling for them both to move into full time ministry within God’s church.

Then one day he vanished. Not vanished in the sense that he went missing from society. But he wasn’t seen at that church ever again. I was in a transition phase between churches of my own and so I never gave it much attention of him being missing.

But as time went on I began to wonder about him. What happened? Why did it happen? How could it happen? Surely there was a call on his life? Did I get it wrong?

Then one day as I was mulling the things of life over in my mind this guy came into my thoughts. But at the same time a well-known Old Testament bible story came into my thoughts also. It is the account recorded in 1 Samuel 3:1-9 where the young boy Samuel thought he heard the old priest Eli call out to him during the night. Samuel went into Eli and asked what he wanted. Eli said that he never called Samuel.

1st Samuel Ch3 (9)Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
 
This happened several times and then Eli told Samuel the next time you hear the voice calling that he was to pray to God “Speak Lord for I am listening”.

1st Samuel Ch3 (10)Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears."

The story goes on to tell the rest of Samuel’s life but it struck me that the message of this story was that God’s call was on Samuel’s life. But Samuel thought it was from Eli. Was that what happened to my friend? Did we all believe that there was a call on this guy’s life but we all thought that it was to be with this particular church?

I see the guy from time to time around the town. When I start to reminisce about the old days at that church he shies away from any conversation about it. But I also get the impression that there is something not quite finished with his experience with God. And I would love to sit down with him and tell him about Samuel’s missed calling. Next time I see him I will bring it up for I still believe that this guy has a wish to talk to God.

I also firmly believe that after all these years he could still go into his home and put his hand straight onto his Bible. I still believe that God has something for him.

But, missing God’s voice is an all too common thing for us all. When I look over my past life and experiences I realise that there were lots of missed opportunities to share a thought, read a book, and attend a church meeting. We miss so much in our walk with Jesus. And it’s very easy to look back and regret our life of lost opportunities.

Infact it happens so often that we have even given it a name. "Procrastination".

There’s an obscure parable in the Old Testament. Now, the Old Testament is not usually known for giving parables but this one can be found in The Book of The Judges, in chapter 9. The parable uses trees in its context and it is about procrastinating and not accepting responsibility for ourselves toward God. It can be found in verses 8-15…..

Judges Ch9 (8)"The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!' (9)But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I cease giving my oil, With which they honour God and men, And go to sway over trees?' (10)"Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and reign over us!' (11)But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?' (12)"Then the trees said to the vine, 'You come and reign over us!' (13)But the vine said to them, 'Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?' (14)"Then all the trees said to the bramble, 'You come and reign over us!' (15)And the bramble said to the trees, 'If in truth you anoint me as king over you, Then come and take shelter in my shade; But if not, let fire come out of the bramble And devour the cedars of Lebanon!'

And the parable was referring to what happened in Israel when the leadership of the tribes wouldn’t step up and rule over the people to appoint a king. Rather, they enjoyed their own pleasures and allowed another man to take leadership and rule the people unjustly.

Oh, and how unjustly that was. He killed all his brothers so that no one would ever challenge his leadership.

But God had it all in control. The man that the parable was speaking about, Abimalech, was not the true king of Israel. He was appointed by men and not appointed by God. It wasn’t until a few years later on that Samuel anointed first Saul, and then David as the true kings of Israel.

God has all of our lives in control. Yes, we may stray. Yes, we may falter. But God has still got us all in control. Just as any loving father would do.

Proverbs Ch16 (9)A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Ephesians Ch2 (10)For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.


My times are in Thy hands. My God, I wish them there!
My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to Thy care.
My times are in Thy hands - Jesus, the Crucified.
Those hands my cruel sins had pierced are now my guard and guide.

Email - TheseLivelyOracles@hotmail.com
Internet - www.theselivelyoracles.co.uk
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Twitter(X) - @livelyoracles58

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