The Call

“Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.’” Matthew 2:13 NASB

It was an event that led to change, as men and women responded to their personal sense of God’s call and followed where He might lead. In diverse ways, these men and women received diverse directions. Each followed His specific call in their lives. And, as they followed, the plan of God was fulfilled.

The wise men felt compelled to leave their homeland and travel hundreds of miles to follow a star with an uncertain destination. Shepherds left their flocks to see the baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph felt compelled to leave their home and travel to Bethlehem. Joseph responded to the warning of an angel, taking Mary and baby Jesus to Egypt.

God still calls His people to be ready to respond. To listen to His voice. To be sensitive to ways He might be speaking to them. To go where He wants them to go.

It is a message repeated throughout the Gospels, as men and women left all to follow Jesus. But their paths were different. Many traveled far from their homelands, while others stayed close to home.

Make sure that you are committed to Jesus, that He is the Lord of your life. Seek to stay sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and be ready to follow, wherever He might lead. Whether that means to stay, or go. To take on new challenges or remain faithful where you are.

And let Him use you, to realize that He loves each person. That He has a special calling on each life. And that each of us is special to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to be Your disciple. Forgive me when I go my own way. Help me to follow You wherever You may lead. In Your Name. Amen.