OUR CALLING
30th Oct 2024
John 15:12 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.” There are two things in the verse that we may have misunderstood.
First, it was not our idea to receive Jesus and come to faith in Him, he says, “I chose you.” Secondly, we often feel that our relationship with God is so that He can answer our prayers and bless us. But, He says, “I have appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.”
So what is our calling? It is to go and bear fruit. I am reading a book about Hudson Taylor, who pioneered the China Inland Mission. His calling to the people of China was so strong that even the death of his wife and some of his children could not prevent him from battling through grief and ill health to be obedient to that call. The way his life and ministry brought thousands of lives into the Kingdom of God is inspiring and challenging.
I find myself deeply challenged as I continue to read this biography, it is a big book and not a quick read, but it is compelling and remarkable. I review my own life and ask myself as to how much fruit have I produced to God’s glory?
Colin Urquhart, alongside whom I worked for eight years, told of a dream he had. He was queuing up at the gates of heaven, waiting to be greeted by St. Peter, and wondering what was being said to each person as they passed into heaven. When it came to his turn, Colin was asked only one simple question, “Who have you brought with you?”
The Moravians, were pioneer missionaries, led by Count Zinzendorf, and based in Herrnhut, Germany. Two of them were so stirred by the plight of the slaves in the Caribbean, that they were prepared to become slaves in order to bring them the gospel. As they stood on the ship departing from the wharf, they shouted to their loved ones, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” Such obedience, such dedication.
In a prayer letter recently received from Kenneth Copeland Ministries, he shares his own testimony of coming to faith 62 years ago. Gloria, who had already received Jesus shared how when she came to faith, she had prayed, “Lord take my life and do something with it.” That prayer has been abundantly answered.
I am personally challenged - there is no retirement in the Kingdom of God and my prayer is that for all the days God gives me, I will continue to “bear fruit - fruit that will last.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
