Recently I attended a Rabbinic class when our teacher presented an interesting statement. "There are four callings in everyone's life, and the last one will decide whether all the others were important," he stated. Instantly he gained the attention of those attending, including myself.
I started to reflect on exactly what these callings would be, and how they applied to my life? I'm certain you also are wondering the same thing?
He then went on to explain what these callings were and how important that the last calling should be answered correctly.
The first call in a humans life is their birth. YHVH (God) has a purpose for everyone and so He calls them into the world. I know the plans I have for you" declare the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11
The second calling represents the path that can transform our lives forever? He calls us to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
The third calling is one we struggle with at times during our Christian life? The call to trust and obey God in every area of our lives. I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. Acts 26:19.
The Apostle Paul encourages us in the previous passage, to listen and obey God's calling on our lives. Regardless of how hard it might be. Many times we acknowledge the call of God on our terms and not on what God is asking of us. Obedience to God represents that you trust Him in everything.
After expounding on these three callings, the teacher looked at us and declared the following. "The fourth and final calling is as follows, one day God will call you home, it will not be a request. After you are born, you can ignore the next two callings, but the fourth one you will have to answer as you stand before Elohim (God). You may have ignored either one or two of the previous callings, but this final one you have no choice." "The point is the final call will decide whether you answered the previous two correctly?"
“Does the Lord have great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.
1 Samuel 15:22
Richard
www.lovegospel.org
Photos by Richard Boyd