Tuesday, December 21, 2010

GOD CALLING

Jesus was like us - a human.

Such a profound and comforting thought.

So I’m wondering…

How did Jesus know it was time to leave home and start His ministry?

Was He out hammering away in the shop, tinkering on a neighbor’s kitchen table?

Was He out taking a walk?

Was He in the local synagogue worshiping His Father?

What happened?

I have these thoughts – they have no answers – I just wonder sometimes. Especially at this time of year.

As I look over Scripture, it seems that God could have revealed the timing to Jesus in three ways.

First, He could have done a “Moses Appearance.” He could have told Jesus in an audible Voice – like when He spoke to Jesus when He was being baptized by John.

“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

That would have been a direct, unmistakable message. It would have been abundantly clear to Jesus.

NOW’S the time, Son!

Or could it have been an appearance by an angel?

God could have done an “Abraham Appearance.” He could have sent a heavenly messenger to proclaim to His Son that the appointed time had come.

Angels are great at announcing.

They had even spoken to Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, about His arrival. It would have been an honored privilege to tell the Messiah Himself that God’s time had arrived. I’m thinking Gabriel might have had the “inside track” on that one.

Or was the call more subtle?

Was it the still, small Voice of the Holy Spirit?

Just a quiet prompting in Jesus’ heart – just a confirmation in His inner being that God was calling.

And then what did Jesus do?

Did He pray about it? Did He search the Scriptures? Did He talk to his mother about it? Did He doubt, even for a second, that He had heard correctly?

And once the call was clear, did He quickly and excitedly spring to His feet and pack His bags?

Or did He have a pre-Gethsemane moment? Knowing where this path would lead – to His death.

Did He know it would be only a short time away?

Regardless, these are all idle speculations of a person who loves to idly speculate (that would be me!) But, I think it’s valuable to wonder, to ponder – exactly WHO is this wonderful Messiah, this Jesus, who came to earth as a human, just like you and me…

Except He was perfectly obedient to God.

Every moment, every challenge, every decision, every emotion, every thought – He turned the right way. He listened well. He didn’t give in to temptation. He wouldn’t allow Himself to be distracted. He wasn’t deterred by suffering. He never once got side-tracked.

HE STAYED THE COURSE.

However the “call” came to Him – “Now’s the time” – Jesus HEARD, He TRUSTED, and He OBEYED.

Are we doing the same?


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

15 comments:

  1. There's so much we don't know! So much to look forward to finding out, don't you think? I picture long talks with Jesus in heaven and maybe movies on a big screen of what actually happened!

    Merriest of Christmases to you and yours!

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  2. Jesus was like us so He could sympathize
    with all our cares and troubles in this
    life. What a compassionate and wonderful
    Savior and Advocate! Wonderful word!
    Christmas blessings,
    Sandy

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  3. Hi Sharon -

    Thank you for this "calling card" reminder.

    Enjoyed your questions - gave me some of my own.

    I am so grateful that when GOD called, JESUS answered and did not put our Lord on hold as we are sometimes prone to do. We have call waiting, re-dial, blocked call featureS, hands free devices....

    How many times do we "disconnect" all of our "gadgets" and answer GOD on the first ring?

    You expressed, "However the "call" came to Him -"Now's the time" - Jesus HEARD, He TRUSTED, and HE OBEYED."

    "Are we doing the same?"

    At times, that depends on who/what is on the other line...

    Prayer:
    Father, I repent for the "moments" when I put You on hold to answer other lines. I repent for not answering You faithfully/cheerfully on Your first ring. Please forgive me, and help me, and all of us Your heirs to HEAR, TRUST, AND OBEY - for only YOU are the ultimate CONNECTOR. Praise You, Lord for dialing our numbers. Thank you, Father - Amen

    (Please excuse me now, Sharon, there is a PRIORITY call coming in on the line) -

    GOD IS CALLING...

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  4. Great questions and encouragement for us today to listen, trust and obey. Wonderful post! Blessings to you for a very Merry Christmas.

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  5. Love this, Sharon. In all ways, He turned the right way! Such an example is is to us today.

    Christmas Blessings
    Patrina <")>><

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  6. Hi Sharon,

    Forgive me for being away from the world of blogging for so long. Been very busy with work and Christmas preparations. Very thought-provoking post. Remember, Jesus fasted for 40 days just before he started his ministry, so I would imagine that was the time he received all of his instructions from His Father. At least all of the detailed instructions. And then throughout His ministry, Jesus often got away from everyone to pray for more instructions.

    I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and New Year celebration.

    Blessings,
    Judy

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  7. thanks Sharon....I needed to read this. YOu have an amazing way of putting things...in a way it hits home for me. thank you sooo much. ☺☺☺

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  8. Those are excellent questions. I like your thoughts. I am so happy to have Jesus in my life.
    I appreciate you stopping over today. I have been pretty busy getting ready for Christmas. I think I am finally ready except to do some baking. A Christmas Story is a great movie. Have a blessed Christmas, all the best to you and yours during this season.

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  9. Sharon, what a great post. I am still learning to listen. I pray that I will answer and be ready when I hear instructions to move forward, stand still, speak, write, etc. And that I might have the courage to be obedient no matter the cost. Thank you for sharing, and for your encouraging words on my blog as well. Merry Christmas, my friend! :)

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  10. Glowin Girl - Yes! So much we don't know, and yet so much to look forward to knowing! Book me a ticket to that big screen show - and if I don't show up, I'm out taking a walk with Jesus! Does that sound just TOO wonderful or what??

    Sandy - Thanks. I just love how Jesus is called our Advocate. It's good to know that He speaks on my behalf - even when I probably don't deserve it! A wonderful High Priest, who understands everything about me. My one-year Bible reading today included a portion of Psalm 139. His thoughts about me are too numerous to count - ah, what a blessing!

    Sandra - You are a master at carrying my analogies to further truth. Loved what you had to say. Sandra, your prayer was precious. Maybe something to "share" on your new blog?! I also join you in asking the Lord to forgive me for my "busy signals" and for the times when I didn't pick up the phone. I'm going to commit to listening for His "ringtone" all the time...(Glad you took that PRIORITY call - Phew!!)

    Joyfull - Thanks for stopping by. Glad you were encouraged today. It seems to me that it's impossible to trust without listening first, and impossible to obey without trusting. I'm going to be working on all three...

    Patrina - Yes, He always turned the right way! I guess that's why He's such a good Shepherd, and why we would be wise to trust Him to guide us along our way. He KNOWS the way the road goes...

    More responses in next comment - please keep reading!!! :)

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  11. Judy - Thanks for stopping by. No need for forgiveness - just glad you're back! You make a very good point - Jesus was prepared in the wilderness, and He often consulted God along the way. Seems like a pretty good example to follow, don't you think? It isn't enough to harken to the call - we need to ask for direction along the way, too!

    Sarah - Thank you. I just try to hear what God is saying to ME - and somehow, HE speaks to others, too. It makes me happy to know that He had a good word for you today. I know from your writing that He has a "calling" on your life, and I know that you are being faithful in following it. Keep up your wonderful work - hearing, trusting, and obeying!

    Debby - I have some odd thoughts sometimes. I'm glad you appreciated them! And I agree with you - I am beyond grateful that I have Jesus in my life. I am so thankful that He called out to me, and that I answered His call to salvation. We are blessed indeed! Yes, it's a busy time - and I DON'T bake - so I really admire YOU for that! Hope you and yours have a WONDER-full Christmas, too!

    Shelly - Yup, I'm with you - still LEARNING. Listening is a challenge - trusting is even harder for me. I'm not exactly known for my courage (more for my worrywart ways, I'm afraid). And as you said, I also need discernment - when to move, when to wait, when to speak, when to be silent. Only God's wisdom will help with that. But I've got to be "tuned in" to Him. Merry Christmas to you, too.

    Thank you everyone, for stopping by during this busy time of year. I will continue my blogging through the holidays, but if I don't get a chance to say it again - Hope ALL of you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! And that this year is one in which you gain a greater appreciation for a baby in a manger - born to save EACH one of you (and me, too!)

    GOD BLESS!

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  12. I'm up early to try to catch up. I didn't realize until last night that I had been AWOL so long.

    Anyway, I had never once contemplated this before reading this post. I'm the kind who likes to ponder such things, but I've never thought about it. Whatever the way, I have him pictured in my mind dropping his carpentry tools and stepping out. That might or might not be right.

    I loved the post below too. You have me thinking about the silent years. What a man that God of ours was.

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  13. Hi Sharon -

    Yes, I may post that prayer with some additions. Yesterday after I posted my comment here, the Lord reminded me (telephone analogy) "What about the times when we hang up on Him?" So if I post that prayer, I will probably add my repentance for those times that I hang up on GOD - though, thanks be unto Him..., I am much less inclined to do that than in some years gone by.

    I like your statement, "I'm going to commit to istening to His "ringtones" all the time. That's a good one, Sharon - indeed.

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  14. Debbie - I've missed you!! I'm glad I'm not the only who thinks about these kinds of things. I think I have to agree with you - I'm thinking Jesus immediately obeyed. However, there just might have been some internal struggle - Gethsemane leads me to think that Jesus didn't do everything "slam dunk" because He was God. He had feelings - but He never sinned, and He was ALWAYS obedient. I was just kinda wondering about the details...

    Sandra - Yeah, I used to hang up, too. Now, I'm inclined to pick up the phone quickly..."Yes, Lord? Your servant is listening..."

    GOD BLESS!

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  15. Hi - me again

    I love that, "Now I'm inclined to pick up the phone quickly... "Yes, Lord? Your servant is listening..."

    Yes, love that, Sharon.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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