Being Faithful to What the Lord has Called us to do

On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."  The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.  When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.  –Jonah 3:4-6

Several years ago I spoke with a man who by his own admission had rarely if ever attended church and possessed little in the way of spiritual belief.  Like many people, he believed in God to some degree, but he had never put his faith in Christ.  I then did something that seems almost too simple; I invited him to church.  Was I surprised when the following Sunday he showed up at church?  Not at all; my invitation was given with a prayerful attitude and a sincere desire to see the man come to faith in the Lord.  He attended church for a while, and we had some frank discussions about faith issues.  Unfortunately, a job transfer caused him to have to move to another state, but I pray that the seeds that were planted will one day take root and he will receive Christ. 

The Bible shows that Jonah, a reluctant missionary, was not too keen on going and preaching to the people of Nineveh.  We get the sense that after finally being obedient and doing what God told him to do, that he was a little surprised by the outcome.  The people repented of their sin, turned their hearts to God, and even the king put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of repentance.  A great and powerful revival of faith came to the city and the judgment of God was averted.  Consider that it all came about because one person was faithful to what God had called him to do.

What is God calling you to do today?  It may not be on the scale of preaching to an entire city as did Jonah, but it may be to minister in some special way to people.  No doubt there are people you and I encounter every day who need to hear about the wonderful love of Jesus Christ.  When we are faithful we are blessed, and those we minister to are touched by the life-changing power of Christ.

Let us not shirk off what the Lord has called us to do.  Rather, let’s be faithful and reach out in the name of Jesus.  Those who don’t know the Lord are all around us. God is going to place someone in your life today that you are called to encourage – and only you can do it.  Never believe that you are insignificant in the kingdom of God.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 

As a vital part of God’s kingdom, do not hesitate to do what Christ has called us to do.  Blessings are waiting.  Life, joy, and peace are waiting.  Victory is ours in Christ.  Serve the Lord and grow in His love and power.