“What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is truly believing that God knows what He desires.”- Oswald Chambers
Chapter 18 (“The Trumpet Call”) concludes Os Hillman’s The Joseph Calling. In this chapter, Os notes that knowledge alone falls short. Credibility requires experience. First, Os asserts that a Christian’s marketplace call combines knowledge with God’s manifested power. In addition, God calls every believer to fulfill His intended purposes for them. For God to use us as His instruments to bring His glory on earth, we need to know what God’s asking of us.
However, we spend a great deal of life in not-so-glamorous day-to-day, mundane living. Yet, God sovereignly works out His own purposes. We simply follow God’s leading. Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest) explains:
“God places His saints where they will bring the most glory to Him, and we are totally incapable of judging where that may be. . . . It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God — but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people — and this is not learned in five minutes.”
Thus, it’s what you live out in your daily life that attracts people to you, not what you know. As Os explains, they want to see God’s power manifested in your life. People need to witness the reality of your relationship with God. Furthermore, they must experience that power themselves. Therefore, pray over every situation. Also, ask God for His help.
In conclusion, Mr. Hillman exhorts us to watch and wait. He writes:
“Watch and wait for the trumpet call of God. When the signs appear, then step into it. Allow God to use you to be an instrument to manifest his presence into that specific situation.”
Today’s question: How do you respond when God calls you simply to be His friend? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of The Joseph Calling
