Monday, March 11, 2019              

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Genesis 11:31–12:3
Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were two hundred five years; and Terah died in Haran.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (NRSV)

Reflection
Call stories are some of my favorite stories in the Bible. Although every story is unique, I am always intrigued by God’s request that someone take a leap of faith and drastically change their life. I have to admit that sometimes I’m envious when I read these stories. I think about how amazing it would be to hear God speak that directly to me and to choose me for something so important.

When I catch myself thinking like that, there are two things I like to remind myself: (1) Dropping everything to follow God isn’t easy—even if you get to take your family with you and even if you know where you’re going. Giving up that much control over my life would be incredibly difficult. And (2) God has chosen me for something important; God has called everyone for something important, and we are all called to contribute to God’s kingdom in our own ways.

Furthermore, God will call us to different things at different times. At this point in my life, I feel called to work toward ending the cycle of poverty by ensuring all children have access to a great education. Years from now the way I feel called to help God’s children through my career may be different. And I know God has, and will continue, to call me to contribute to God’s kingdom outside of my day job.

What do you hear God calling you to do?

Prayer
Lord, thank you for calling us each to follow and to serve you in different ways. Remind us that life is not a competition and that we all have our own role to play. Give us courage and confidence to say yes when you call and to encourage others to do the same. Amen.

Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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