Answering the Call

Last night, I attended our IV off-campus small group (Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship) and it's always great to be encouraged to live out the faith. Every week we are challenged to face the things that withhold us from completely giving over to God and to get out of our "comfort box." But anyways, the passage of last night's bible study was Luke 10:1-24 which is where Jesus has sent out 72 disciples ahead of Him into various towns to spread the gospel. But before He sends them out, He kinda gives em' a little pep talk about it. In 10:2-3²He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Read that over and think about it.

Jesus is basically telling His disciples that there is lots of work to be done and so few to do it. He also tells them to pray to the Lord to send out more workers into the field AND that it's going to be tough. Imagine that, a lamb among wolves. Sounds like a pretty scary situation to me. But later on He says this in 10:19-20- ^{19 "}I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.²⁰However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Here, He is letting them know that He will be right there with them the whole time and that they ALREADY POSSESS the power to overcome any obstacles in their path. What an encouragement that is! But, He does warn them to not focus on the temporary joy of it but rather the eternal joy that comes with salvation. So think about it, if you are a Christian (one who is set apart for God) sitting there, ask yourself what have you been doing lately to answer the call? Jesus said it Himself, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." We don't have a quota to fill of people that we need to convert but this harvest is never-ending, and what are you doing to get more workers involved (I'm definitely asking myself the same questions)? It's sooooo much easier for us to talk about how we are going to answer the call but it is the action that makes a world of difference. Jesus is calling you and He's calling me to harvest the fields, to bring in more workers. He tells us that it will be hard and it will seem impossible (like lambs among wolves) but He has already given us the power and the victory. Yet, Jesus warns us not to focus on the temporary satisfaction that this may bring us but rather the eternal reward which awaits us in Heaven. Don't get caught up in worldly temptations or the short term joy of things. Focus on what lies ahead and don't look back. And when you are discouraged, remember who is right there with you.

Nothing can stop the saved who are in tune with their Savior. So what is holding you back? The only answer to that question should be yourself. So let's put away self. And answer the call.

Romans 8:31- What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Galatians 2:20-I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.