Angela
04-30-2008, 04:00 PM
Someone once said that God doesn't call the qualified--He qualifies the called. There is so much truth in that.
I went today to pick up my taxes, (I know, I know--we were late filers) and the sweet lady who does my taxes told me a story she had heard from her Pastor. His family had been in the furniture business for many generations. When it came his turn to take over the family business he was torn between the family business and carrying out what he felt God calling him to do. God was calling him to preach full time. If he followed the call he would have to sell the family business which is no overnight ordeal and a very difficult decision to make.
In the middle of this decisional process--possibly God qualifying him for the call--a tornado hit the town where the furniture store was located. He and his family huddled in the middle of the store as everything around them was destroyed. They walked away with out a scratch. His first thought was, 'well Lord that was quick'.
His problem had been solved--certainly not the way he thought it would be, but solved none the less. He collected the insurance money and off he went to Seminary. He has been a Pastor now for many years.
Do you suppose that God was qualifying him for the call?
When we have been called by God to do something, we do one of two things, we either run and hide and try to escape the call (which is a waste of valuable time), or we say , "yes Lord, show me how."
God had a call on my life very early in my life. I didn't realize that the years I took piano lessons was all preparing me for His call. I learned many classical pieces, thought about going to Julliard, but ended up going to a small college close to home. I am a Momma and Daddy's baby, still am at 48 years old.
I began college with music as my major. I absolutely hated every minute of it. They made music seem like work. Music is not work to me. So, needless to say, I left the music program but I never left music.
When I graduated college I had a degree in nursing but I continued to play the piano at home. Music has always been my escape and my stretching of myself to learn a harder piece. But I wasn't using music for God. I played at most of my friend's weddings but for years I ran from the call. I wasn't aware I was running from the call but I was. I had not dedicated music to God.
When I was 32 years old I started playing the piano at church. I dedicated my talent to Him. I rededicated my life to Him. He had already qualified me to do what He was calling me to do. I said, "Yes, Lord." I continue to play the piano for Him every Sunday. He blesses through the music--His music. His talent. His qualifying Spirit.
In 2001, He called me to write for Him. He opened the doors, He pushed me through. Again, He had been qualifying me for 2001 all my life. I have always loved to write. I even considered a major in journalism but went into nursing instead. During my career in nursing He developed in me the ability to write better than I talk. And my documentation improved as my career progressed. That too was Him qualifying me to write years later.
I look back and see it now. When it was happening I had no idea. Which makes me wonder now, what is He qualifying me for now? What ever it is He has supplied encouraging friends and other writers to help me. In that I am so thankful.
What is He calling you to do? What is He qualifying you to do? Whatever it is here are some Scriptures I found today to encourage you. Hopefully, you will encourage someone else along the way.
Keep on loving each other as brothers. (Hebrews 13:1 NIV)
"Do all that you have in mind", his armour bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul".
(1 Samuel 14:7 NIV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV)
A friend loves at all times..... (Proverbs 17:17 NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
I went today to pick up my taxes, (I know, I know--we were late filers) and the sweet lady who does my taxes told me a story she had heard from her Pastor. His family had been in the furniture business for many generations. When it came his turn to take over the family business he was torn between the family business and carrying out what he felt God calling him to do. God was calling him to preach full time. If he followed the call he would have to sell the family business which is no overnight ordeal and a very difficult decision to make.
In the middle of this decisional process--possibly God qualifying him for the call--a tornado hit the town where the furniture store was located. He and his family huddled in the middle of the store as everything around them was destroyed. They walked away with out a scratch. His first thought was, 'well Lord that was quick'.
His problem had been solved--certainly not the way he thought it would be, but solved none the less. He collected the insurance money and off he went to Seminary. He has been a Pastor now for many years.
Do you suppose that God was qualifying him for the call?
When we have been called by God to do something, we do one of two things, we either run and hide and try to escape the call (which is a waste of valuable time), or we say , "yes Lord, show me how."
God had a call on my life very early in my life. I didn't realize that the years I took piano lessons was all preparing me for His call. I learned many classical pieces, thought about going to Julliard, but ended up going to a small college close to home. I am a Momma and Daddy's baby, still am at 48 years old.
I began college with music as my major. I absolutely hated every minute of it. They made music seem like work. Music is not work to me. So, needless to say, I left the music program but I never left music.
When I graduated college I had a degree in nursing but I continued to play the piano at home. Music has always been my escape and my stretching of myself to learn a harder piece. But I wasn't using music for God. I played at most of my friend's weddings but for years I ran from the call. I wasn't aware I was running from the call but I was. I had not dedicated music to God.
When I was 32 years old I started playing the piano at church. I dedicated my talent to Him. I rededicated my life to Him. He had already qualified me to do what He was calling me to do. I said, "Yes, Lord." I continue to play the piano for Him every Sunday. He blesses through the music--His music. His talent. His qualifying Spirit.
In 2001, He called me to write for Him. He opened the doors, He pushed me through. Again, He had been qualifying me for 2001 all my life. I have always loved to write. I even considered a major in journalism but went into nursing instead. During my career in nursing He developed in me the ability to write better than I talk. And my documentation improved as my career progressed. That too was Him qualifying me to write years later.
I look back and see it now. When it was happening I had no idea. Which makes me wonder now, what is He qualifying me for now? What ever it is He has supplied encouraging friends and other writers to help me. In that I am so thankful.
What is He calling you to do? What is He qualifying you to do? Whatever it is here are some Scriptures I found today to encourage you. Hopefully, you will encourage someone else along the way.
Keep on loving each other as brothers. (Hebrews 13:1 NIV)
"Do all that you have in mind", his armour bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul".
(1 Samuel 14:7 NIV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV)
A friend loves at all times..... (Proverbs 17:17 NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)