Stages of calling
Up to one year ago, I was basically going through the motions. Sunday mass. Prayed only when I need help. Stuck in a bad relationship that I couldn’t and wouldn’t get out of. Somehow all along He was with me. Throughout the whole time I had neglected Him, He never let me down even though I hurt Him so bad. His hand was always protecting me; I made the devil laugh but His love for me was too great to let me fall into evil clutches. The power of His love will overcome anything. But I refused to heed His call. I always said no; I always chose the world; I always chose the easy way out. However all these were part of my preparation I guess. All these experiences I had opened my eyes and made me stronger; helped me to relate to people.
Then one day I finally woke up. I couldn’t take it anymore. It was so difficult and my heart was crumbling but somehow he gave me the strength to walk away. I couldn’t have done it without Him. That was it. I had chosen Him. It was not easy at first. Two years of my life that revolved around a relationship that could have brought my downfall. Close friends of mine where overseas. I had no one. But He was there. I didn’t know how to talk to Him. But He put people into my life. New friends that I could count on. People to guide me and help me as I started back on my journey to Him, and build up that relationship with Him.
Slowly things got better. He was the only one who had faith in me and believed in me. He knew all along that since young my heart’s desire was to be with the youth. He gave me that chance. Time and time again I’ve let Him down. But he showed me that He is always with me. The crisis stage was over. I had chosen Him. I couldn’t be where I am right now if not for His great love and forgiveness.
The journey is not easy. I’ve been told by someone before that its gonna be painful. That He will show me areas in my life that I had to change… and he will take me and mould me. It sounded scary but I was ready. I knew that with Him I could face anything. There were many ups and downs throughout the journey. I fell again, a lot of times. But there were times that I clung desperately to Him and refused to let Him go.. and the pure joy and knowledge and feeling of His wonderful love and presence was much more that I could ask for or even deserve.
I’ve never said ‘I love you Jesus’, before, until now. I was so afraid of being a hypocrite.
And now, I’m on into the next chapter. The fruit bearing stage. Somehow He has called me to do Social Work – Child Protection. I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life; I’ve never wanted to do anything this much in my entire life. Million times more than a deejay, haha. Yes, it seems scary with all the negative reaction from people and the amount of things that you will have to give up. But somehow my heart is so happy knowing that all I want is to do His will and to follow Him completely and truly. And I know He will prepare the way for me. And I know I will be alright as long as I have Him and stay close to Him. I know you will be too.
Love,Marie
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by Os Hillman, November 10, 2005 "Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 33 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was the cross. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the rock the Church was built on. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.
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Then one day I finally woke up. I couldn’t take it anymore. It was so difficult and my heart was crumbling but somehow he gave me the strength to walk away. I couldn’t have done it without Him. That was it. I had chosen Him. It was not easy at first. Two years of my life that revolved around a relationship that could have brought my downfall. Close friends of mine where overseas. I had no one. But He was there. I didn’t know how to talk to Him. But He put people into my life. New friends that I could count on. People to guide me and help me as I started back on my journey to Him, and build up that relationship with Him.
Slowly things got better. He was the only one who had faith in me and believed in me. He knew all along that since young my heart’s desire was to be with the youth. He gave me that chance. Time and time again I’ve let Him down. But he showed me that He is always with me. The crisis stage was over. I had chosen Him. I couldn’t be where I am right now if not for His great love and forgiveness.
The journey is not easy. I’ve been told by someone before that its gonna be painful. That He will show me areas in my life that I had to change… and he will take me and mould me. It sounded scary but I was ready. I knew that with Him I could face anything. There were many ups and downs throughout the journey. I fell again, a lot of times. But there were times that I clung desperately to Him and refused to let Him go.. and the pure joy and knowledge and feeling of His wonderful love and presence was much more that I could ask for or even deserve.
I’ve never said ‘I love you Jesus’, before, until now. I was so afraid of being a hypocrite.
And now, I’m on into the next chapter. The fruit bearing stage. Somehow He has called me to do Social Work – Child Protection. I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life; I’ve never wanted to do anything this much in my entire life. Million times more than a deejay, haha. Yes, it seems scary with all the negative reaction from people and the amount of things that you will have to give up. But somehow my heart is so happy knowing that all I want is to do His will and to follow Him completely and truly. And I know He will prepare the way for me. And I know I will be alright as long as I have Him and stay close to Him. I know you will be too.
Love,Marie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Os Hillman, November 10, 2005 "Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 33 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was the cross. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the rock the Church was built on. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.
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posted by Marie Therese @ 1:12 pm
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