the calling

I couldn’t ignore her screams. I just couldn’t.

So I got out of the shower, set a world’s record drying off, and threw on a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt. I started for the door, but decided I’d better bring a weapon along. I could hear the terror in the woman’s screams and didn’t want to go into a situation unprepared.

Reaching under the bed I found the club kept there for emergencies. Now armed, I raced out the front door and sprinted up the street towards the source of the screaming.

As I ran past onlookers wandering towards the commotion, the screaming finally stopped. Seeing a crowd gathered outside an apartment window, I headed in their direction.

One person saw me coming, then another, and another. The word spread fast, and as they turned and looked my way I could see the fear in their eyes. Who is this mad man with wet hair, no shoes and a club in his hand sprinting towards them with a, “I’m going to kick somebody’s butt” look on his face?

The crowd backed away not knowing my intentions, but were relieved to hear I was just there to help whoever was screaming. I quickly discovered that a man had been beating his girlfriend and the woman was now safe with a friend. Meanwhile, the abuser was holed up in a nearby apartment.

As I contemplated confronting the man, the police arrived and took control of the situation. After the police officer was convinced that the mad man wielding a club was not involved, I walked home to finish my shower and explain to my family what had just happened.

Why do I share this story from a while back? Because even though I was scared to death, felt totally unprepared, and had no idea what would happen when I finally got there, I went. I mean, come on. How can I ignore a woman screaming?

Which brings me to my point: What does God want you to do that you’re not doing but know you should do?

I know, I know. It’s scary. And you may feel totally unprepared. But the tug’s there, isn’t it? The desire’s there, isn’t it?

Maybe, just maybe, God is calling you to do something.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”1

According to these verses, God supernaturally equips His believers with abilities to do certain things. That means we’re not as unprepared as we might think. And if the God of the universe is on our side and wants us to do something, well, shouldn’t we do it?

So there it is: God is calling and you have a decision to make. Will you get out of your comfort zone and do what needs to be done?

If you think I didn’t consider ignoring that woman’s screams, you’re wrong. I did consider it. But I concluded I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t go. I just had to go.

So what’s your excuse? While it’s probably a good one, will you have regrets if you turn a deaf ear?

The Lord may not be screaming, but He is calling. Are you listening?

1  Romans 12:6-8