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The Uncomfortable
Call |
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Article by Tom Gilbert — October
2007
I've certainly had several
times in my life when I sensed that I needed to be
doing something different, to move in a new direction.
Prayerful discernment at these times tells me that
this is God "nudging me".
Often these nudges are uncomfortable and I'm frequently
uncertain as to just where this new direction is pointing
me. It's an uncomfortable call. Well, that's
just like God. He doesn't seem to be as concerned with my comfort as I am. "Foxes
have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to
lay his head." (Luke 9:58 — NIV).
When God places a call on your heart —and I've come to believe that God
really
does that — what is our response to be? I think it is uncommon for most
of us to accept that God initiates. We think we are seeking and looking, but
what creates
that urge in us?
I have a friend who works in voiceover production for radio and television commercials,
as well as hosting a ministry talk show on a Christian radio station. I saw him
recently and we were chatting about our lives, what is going on and what we think
the future might hold for us. This man, Peter, told me that ever since he made
the decision to pursue his production work, essentially as an entrepreneur, that
things eventually took off. He's assured me that he's not financially independent
by any means. But business is steady and he's done better than he thought he
would. "Tom", he told me, "When God
says 'go' - you
need
to go!"
This can be scary, especially if we sense that God wants us to do something different,
something more in line with what Jesus means when he says, "Follow me".
We have to question our values, our commitment, our lifestyle, and we need faith
and
courage.
Eduardo Verástegui is a very handsome Latino actor who until just a few
years ago was enjoying life playing the film and television roles of the "Casanova".
But in his heart it wasn't fulfilling. He sensed God had something different
in mind. This awakening didn't come from a spiritual sojourn of his own choosing.
He attributes it to the prayers of his mother. Now he is dedicating his talents
to films that he believes have a godly purpose. He stars in a new movie about
to be released, Bella (link to official website here).
In the movie—the writing and directorial debut of his friend and business
partner Alejandro Monteverde—Verástegui plays José, a pro
soccer star whose life is changed in an instant. He ends up as a chef at his
brother's Mexican restaurant in New York, where he befriends a waitress named
Nina, whose own life is turned upside down when she learns she is pregnant — and
decides she doesn't want to keep the baby. She confides in Jose, whose compassion
for her plight plays out in unexpected, and life-affirming, ways. It's very interesting
to discover how Monteverde and Verástegui came to work together. You can
find out more by reading this article, Latin
Lover No More, at Christianity
Today.
The truth is God is calling each of us. We all have a part to play in the plans
of the Creator. We are not all called to play the same part. You each have a
gift, or gifts, to share. Are you ready to answer the uncomfortable call?
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 |
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"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you
through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and
body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ." |
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