Freely Speaking with Karen

Have you ever felt an “urge” or “calling” to do something helpful for someone?

It was a cold, wet winter evening in the mountains. The rain was pouring down so hard I couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of my bumper, even with my wipers swishing across my windshield on high. It had been a long day at work, and I was tired. The heater was on. I wore layers, a scarf, a full-length raincoat, rain boots, and driving gloves. I was cozy but hungry and oh-so-ready to relax at home. Then out my right passenger side window, I caught a glimpse (just a flash) of two figures struggling alongside the road, burdened with shopping bags. Though it wasn’t “convenient,” and I know it isn’t safe to stop for strangers, I felt “compelled” or “called” by God to stop and see if I could help. I pulled over and discovered it was a lady and her little daughter in distress, cold and soaked through, five miles from home.

What does it mean to be “called” by God, and how should we serve him? The Bible answers in this way: “For as in one body [our literal body] we have many members [parts of the body], and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if [God gifts someone in] prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness”(Romans 12:4-8 ESV).

God gifts each of us according to our needs and His purpose. All He asks is that we obediently serve Him when He calls upon us, as we trust He’ll use our talents and gifts for our calling.