When God Calls Your Name

 

Can God really call us by name? The Biblical answer to that question is, yes. Scripture reveals numerous individuals He called by name. Those individuals He called by name include Samuel, Moses, John, and Jesus. In fact, the scripture teaches us that Jesus was given His name before He was born: “you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21, NKJV. Similarly, John, Jesus’s cousin, was named by an angel before he was born: “But the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.’” Luke1:13, NLT. God called each of those individuals by name. And He calls each of us by name. My question to you: Have you heard His call over your life?

Most people allow their lives to be determined by others. Rather than forging a path forward based on God’s call, they allow their lives to be shaped by the voices of those around them. The problem with that method of determining your calling is, people are myopic, we see in part and know in part. That’s why we should never allow men and women to determine who or what we are called to be. They will always misunderstand, misinterpret, and misdiagnose God’s calling on our lives. In fact, oftentimes, they will even curse what God has blessed in our lives. No wonder God stopped Zechariah from saying anything after the angel had visited him and he showed unbelief towards God’s calling on his future son, John. God wouldn’t allow Zechariah to curse who He had blessed. 

How many of us curse those whom God has blessed in our lives because they do things differently than we do? They don’t follow our path, listen to our “suggestions”, or submit to our plans, so we write them off instead of seeing them as we should — called by God. Unfortunately, that’s what often defines leadership today — leaders who fail to see God’s calling on someone’s life. Rather, they often seek to replace that person’s calling with their own, which is the very antithesis of Biblical leadership. That’s one of my biggest concerns with the current teachings on the fivefold ministry. We’ve placed the ministry gifts into a box of a hand that can be easily categorized, programmed, easily referenced, and filed for “safe guarding” the flock from wolves. My question: What if the wolves are the ones who file things away for safe keeping things the way they are?

The greatest threat to the Church today doesn’t originate from outside the Church. No, the greatest threat to the Church today is those who we allow to determine our identity, destiny, and calling. Rather than listening for God’s call, we listen to man’s call upon our lives. And what we find is frustration, anxiety, worry, anger, and fear. That’s where the calling of men always leads. God’s calling on our lives always leads towards a life of faith; His call requires a holy expectation and anticipation of a healthy future, a desirable end. No wonder the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, Berean Standard Bible. 

                       “God has a master plan, and with that master plan a master key.”—Scott Wallis

Today I want to encourage you to allow God to determine your calling. Don’t allow disillusionment others have caused you to define your life. Don’t let their evils be your grave. No! Throw off your grave clothes today and with fresh determination choose to follow God’s call. It won’t be easy. Yes, it will be hard. But it’s better than the alternative. And you were built for it. Yes, God called you by name. Now, go! Run with His calling on your life as if your life depends on it. It does, by the way. Run and don’t grow weary! Walk and don’t faint! Mount up with wings like an eagle! And get ready to soar. 

Set your vision higher, your sights farther, and go deeper than you thought you possibly could. You can. Nothing is impossible for those who believe in God’s calling on their life. Look at Joshua, he believed he could speak to the sun and moon and stop them with the sound of his voice. And he did. History and astronomy confirm he did just that. If a man can speak to the sun and moon and stop them, what makes you think your voice is any less important or powerful as his? Truth is, your voice is unique. There has never been any other like it. Nor shall there ever be any like it again. That’s how special you are. Let that sink in! 

Now, answer God’s call. He’s on the line. He wants to speak with you. Listen. Talk with Him. He’s deeply interested in your life. You matter to Him, as do I. Hear His call today! He won’t lead you astray. He won’t give you a snake, serpent, or scorpion. No, he’ll guide you down the path of life. Trust Him! Let Him determine your calling. Don’t allow anyone else to do that. Ever. 

Your life and future hang in the balance. That’s why His voice, His word, and His calling are so important. Truth is, we all need His help, for without Him we can do nothing. Nothing! But through Him, we can do all things that He’s called us to do. Yes, you are called. Now own it, relish it, revive it, and renew it. Use it! Yes, do it! You can! It’s His will. Trust Him! He won’t let you down, fail you, or forsake you. No, you’re in His hands…forever! 

Let Us Pray

  — Scott Wallis