by Myra Watkins
Can you imagine a symphony orchestra without a conductor? A team without a coach? A book without an author? Or, God forbid, a wedding without a groom?

When someone pursues calling and purpose in life without acknowledging a “Caller”, the attempt is futile. One popular author who does not mention God tries to infuse life’s work with meaning by referring to “the summons of that which needs doing”. That has about as much appeal as fizzless Coke, and can lead to extremes of becoming either a dogmatic addict or a disillusioned drop-out.

In his book The Call, Os Guinness offers a well-spring of life in his definition: “Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service.”

First, He calls us to Himself.
Then, He calls us to use the abilities He has given us to serve others.

Guinness relates the story of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who was an aimless writer before his horrible experience in the Russian Gulag. Later, he was miraculously cured of cancer and met a Jewish believer who led him to faith in Jesus Christ. He had an increasing sense of calling to put “the dying wish of millions” on record. His did just that in many volumes, including The Gulag Archipelago, which had a profound impact on my life.

Many people can remember a moment during childhood when they felt joyfully awakened to what they love to do, whether in the area of music, sports, art, medicine, science, teaching or whatever. Do you remember such a time? Often it is forgotten when the stresses of life threaten to overwhelm us.

The same is true of God. There are times when He seeks us out and wants to reveal Himself to us, drawing us to know Him and embark on the journey that He has planned for our lives. Conducting the most breathtaking symphony we have ever heard. Coaching us to not give up during a difficult season, while assuring us that victory is ahead. Writing our story for others to read and come in contact with the love He seeks to reveal through our lives. And walking with us in a loving relationship that lasts into eternity. Are you listening?

Hear the call.

Myra Watkins is a missionary, a fisher of men, and the author of the blog Encouraging Thoughts.

by Paolo Punzalan

A couple of weeks back, I wrote a blog – “When God Says No…”

The question for me this week is “What if God Says Go…?”

“But I don’t feel like it…”
“But it doesn’t make sense…”
“But you can’t forgive just like that!!!…”
“But…but…but…”

We can come up with our ‘buts’… Some have big ones, some have negligable ones, while some have ones that stink. However, our “buts” won’t prevail. He is sovereign.

As we embark on our new series, “Finding Jonah”, this week in many of our Victory churches in the Metro, we are going to study the life of a runaway prophet who was called to speak to a group of people he didn’t like (a grave understatement).

While studying it, there were a couple of lessons I gathered…

1. You can run but you can’t win.

Jonah wanted to run away from what God wanted him to do. He tried… very hard… like travelling 2500 miles the opposite direction, but ultimately God prevailed on him.

It’s virtually impossible to run from God. We can try, but we all know who will win. The Bible says that a man plans his course but it’s the Lord’s plan that will prevail.

2. You can always find a boat sailing the wrong direction.

Jonah didn’t try very hard to run away from God. His escape route was readily available.

When we try to go the opposite of God’s plan, it’s not hard to find ways to do so. For some darn reason, the enemy will always try to make it easy to step away from Him. Though it will be a fight to stay in the center of His will, His grace will often be overwhelmingly available.

3. Your worst nightmare may exactly be what you need at the moment.

Jonah became dinner. The Bible says that “God provided a great fish” (Jonah 1:17). Provided? Jonah’s nightmare was a provision from God? That really doesn’t make sense, it seems.

But what he got was what he exactly needed.

To many of us, the things we go through may not necessarily be the most ideal but probably the most beneficial.

Remember God knows what’s best. His ways are higher than ours.

Paolo Punzalan overseas more than 700 Kid’s Church volunteers every Sunday at VCF-Fort Bonifacio and is the author of “All About the Next Generation.”

by Ron Miller

I propose a New Year’s resolution for every Christian—stop using phrases like “God’s will” and “the Lord told me” to get your will done.

Matthew 26:29 says, “Going a little farther, he (Jesus) fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

In this passage of scripture, Jesus is praying to His Father in heaven before he is betrayed, put through the mockery of a trial and crucified. I am so challenged in my own personal faith at how the Lord Jesus Christ stay submitted to God’s will for His life even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). This type of attitude, obedience and submission is a missing ingredient in the lives of many Christians today. Frankly, in today’s individualist society I have noticed many people of faith think God exists to bless their plans and dreams. Similar to the lead character in Bruce Almighty, their prayer is now, “My will be done.” I wonder if we have forgotten that we are saved to serve Him and others.

Another way “Christians bug me” (refer to previous blog listed below) is when they use religious jargon such as “God’s will” to get their will done. We should be very reverent when we definitively say something is God’s will, especially when it affects someone else’s life.

Ephesians 5:17 says, “Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” I believe we should only say something is God’s will if we can find it in Scripture. For example, it is God’s will to pray continually, forgive, be joyful, give thanks in all circumstances, treat others the way you want to be treated, love your enemies, etc. God’s will is synonymous with God’s word.

When we fail to refer to Scripture in relation to communicating God’s will, we end up becoming fools. How many people have stated that God told them something and later were proven wrong? Trust me; I meet them way too often. God doesn’t lie or make mistakes. I will say it again. We should be very careful about how we use the name of God.

This blog was inspired by the recent events at North Florida Christian (NFC) School. I will comment on this situation for two reasons. First, many people have sought my counsel as a pastor to help them process this incident. Second, when somebody says it is God’s will to do something, I have a right and a responsibility to examine it as a Christ follower. Let me state clearly that my goal is to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), not attack anyone personally. So, here are my thoughts or “two cents worth”—Lord help me.

As a Christian, pastor, friend, and long time resident of Tallahassee, I grieve for all involved in this unfortunate scenario. As a long time resident of Tallahassee, I hurt for everyone in this city who has been negatively impacted by these events. As a Christian, I hurt because Christ was not glorified by the way things were handled. As a pastor, I hurt because many people are questioning the motives of a fellow pastor and brother in Christ in town. As a friend, I hurt for the Weldon family and how difficult it must be to process getting fired from a school they love and represent so well in our community.

Why was Casey Weldon fired? The only answer that has been given so far is that it was “God’s will”. Oh really? Are you sure it was not a conflict of personalities or a difference of opinions on how things should be done at NFC? Just like the rest of us, we know Casey isn’t perfect. Are you sure it wasn’t something he did or didn’t do as a coach? Did he violate an NFC policy? I don’t pretend to know all the details of this incident. In fact, I don’t really know anything. However, one thing I do know is what the Bible says is God’s will.

Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus instructing them concerning God’s will. He says in Ephesians 4:1-3, “As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (2) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

If this was God’s will, and therefore, the way he wanted to remove Casey from his position, after taking NFC to two consecutive state championship games, then why has there been so much division and strife over this decision? How can you fire a guy, who is the “poster child” of your school, and who has been so successful without ever reprimanded him, and then say it was “God’s will”? God’s will should manifest in humility, gentleness, patience, love, unity and peace, especially when it involves Christians in the same spiritual family.

I don’t know if Casey should or should not have been fired. However, I do know the greatest commandment requires us to exemplify God with honor and treat one another with love (Matthew 22:37-40). I have yet to talk with one person in Tallahassee who thinks God was honored and love was demonstrated at NFC. This saddens me deeply because I want to see my fellow believers in Jesus succeed and represent Him well. So, to say this decision was God’s will when it has caused such heartache, pain, division, and confusion in Tallahassee and the NFC community is irresponsible and is simply religious jargon that poorly reflects Christ and Scripture.

For the sake of God’s glory, the reputation of those who minister the gospel and every Christian’s testimony, please give us the real reason Casey was fired. It will be the only answer that will make sense to people who are already cynical towards Christianity and bring closure to this awkward occurrence.

I pray for God’s will to be done. Happy New Year!