THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
This week the Scriptures invite us to consider a rather radical idea—that God seeks to include us in what God is doing in the world! It’s not just that God is involved in our lives, or that God sometimes steps in to bring salvation to the universe. Rather, God actively recruits ordinary human beings like you and me to participate in the creative, saving work of Christ. What makes this even more astounding is that God allows us to choose whether we will accept the invitation or not.
You may have heard the story of Jonah in church this week. After hearing God’s call and running away, Jonah was finally convinced by God that he should obey and preach to the people of Nineveh. On hearing his message, the people repented, and the judgement God had planned for them was averted. Or perhaps you heard the story of the fishermen that Jesus called to be his disciples. Notice how Jesus used what they were already good at—fishing—in his call to them. They didn’t have to become something other than what they were. They only needed to use their gifts and talents for God’s work, and not just their own gain.
There are two challenges in these stories. The first is to recognise that God has a job for every one of us. God doesn’t just want to save us. God wants to use us as God’s instruments to bring wholeness and peace, grace and justice, into the world! The second challenge is that, as we respond to God’s call, we will need to learn to align our priorities with God’s—to use our gifts and abilities for God’s purposes, not our own. But, if we accept the call, and align our priorities with God’s, we discover a life that is full, meaningful, liberating, and adventurous. Are you ready to be part of this amazing journey?
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