The Man from Macedonia

Man from Macedonia

I doubt many people throughout history had quite such a life as the Apostle Paul. He was a world traveller. He preached to thousands. He was unjustly accused, beaten, and imprisoned. He had dreams and visions too. One such, recorded for us in Acts 16, was the Man from Macedonia, who called Paul to “Come over here”. It was seemingly one of many such calls on his time and resources and he faithfully gave the time while God faithfully gave the resources.

What, I wonder, is your calling?

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, and administrations. . .” Very few are called to be apostles, prophets, or teachers, or evangelists, or pastors, but many and varied are the ministries of helps and administrations. (NB - Please note that I deliberately omitted any comment about healing as the five-fold ministry gifts plus any congregational gifting must cover this.)

Why are so many people so very reluctant to step out in their calling. It doesn’t have to be anything big and bold. You may be called to befriend people, or to volunteer somewhere. It may be you feel the call to prayer or just to giving a helping hand to one or two older folk locally.

How do you start?

Well you may just want to run it past your church leaders, or it may be something you can just do for someone. Is it prayer – find out about prayer teams or initiatives in your area. Is it helping out – see if anyone near you needs help with their shopping. I know one gentleman who regularly shops for all his elderly neighbours – and he is 87 years old! Do you feel called to volunteer somewhere – just ask around. There are probably a number of organisations who will welcome your help. If it is something like healing, then you will definitely need some advice, possibly training too, so talk to your leadership team.

Basically, no matter what the ‘ministry’ call on you, you have to do something about it. No-one else can take that first step for you – only you can do that. Stepping out in your calling is the first step in watching the Lord work and move in your life. The world so desperately needs to experience the love of God at the moment.

Who will do it if you don’t?