By Shirley Rosemarie Evans and Christopher Dryden
Afterwards, Jesus went up to a mountain and called out to the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons.
Mark 3:13-15 NLT
At school, there were occasions when they had team sports. Two captains would stand up front and look at the choice of the players in front of them. Then, they would select who they wanted to make the best side possible. Back in the day, it was a sign of respect to be among the first selected.
The team required specific people in specific positions to achieve its aims. Certain positions required a set height and skill that would not be effective in the other parts of the team.
When Jesus was on His mission, it was just as important for Him to ensure the right team surrounded him. It was so important that the scriptures indicate He even prayed about it and got His Father’s insight on who should be selected. It was one thing to be called in general; it was something special to be chosen for His mission team.
Today, the invitation is given to many to be a part of the called. And many who accept the call are excited just by that. However, implicit in the call is to understand what part of the team you are to play. There are different positions requiring different gifts, personalities and characters. For example, we are not all called to be the pastor or the singer, some of us are chosen to help with financial support, some are chosen to encourage others, some are chosen to exercise their practical gifts to help, some are chosen to offer respite to the weary and God has so many other places to fill with those He specifically has chosen, equipped and gifted to serve in a given capacity for a given season.
Even as the Body has many parts that function together, God has chosen us to work together, using all He’s given us to cooperate, collaborate, and complement each other so that all that His Son came to do can be expressed in the world. As that is done, others can likewise recognise the call and where God has specifically selected them to operate for His glory.
This works on a breathing model: We’re called in to learn from Him, receive His equipping, and engage in His plan before we’re called out to serve others and share with them in word and deed the marvellous works of God. This pattern does not stop as long as we’re breathing. We will always need to spend time learning from Him. We will always need to spend time serving others to complete His mission.
As the chosen, we have the assurance of His presence and His provision to carry out His purpose. We have the responsibility to rely on Him totally, follow Him faithfully, and diligently encourage each other to do the same so that we may fulfil our calling.
Ask: What is the difference between being called and being chosen?
Seek: Have you responded to the call of God? Are you aware of what He has chosen you to do? If not, what will you do in response to the call and to what He’s chosen you for? If so, how are you responding, and how are you encouraging others to do the same?
Knock: Thank God for the team in which He’s placed you. Ask Him how you can be an even more effective team member. And if you’re not in a team yet, recognise you were not called to be a one-man band and ask for direction to the team God wants you to be a part of.
