The Clarion Call
If there is to be a greater understanding between the pulpit and the pew, between the shepherd and his sheep, or, shall we say, the pastor and his people, it may be that church members ought to have a greater understanding of the pastor’s call to ministry. As a church member, it may be that you have never given it much thought. Perhaps it has never crossed your mind that beyond the call of salvation, God still personally calls men and women to specific roles and responsibilities in much the same way He always has.
God’s call to pastoral ministry is very personal, powerful, plain, and persistent. One does not just decide to become a pastor on his own. Which is not to say that some have not done so. The testimony of Scripture is that God is always the initiator of the call and, most often, those he calls are the most surprised by it. They usually feel unworthy, unqualified, and unprepared for such a responsibility.
When I say it is a very personal call, I have several things in mind: First, it is an interaction between two persons – the Person of the Living God with the person he calls to service. In those unique interactions initiated by God, He does not allow his transcendent nature to get in the way of his personal transaction with human persons. (The incarnation is the ultimate example of this truth.) Second, God reveals himself, personally speaking to the one he is calling, leaving no doubt about who He is or what he wants his servant to do. And third, the person God chooses to call feels known. He feels unlike others who only know him or her partially. He comes to realize that he is completely unmasked in the presence of God.
Moses is a great example – one of many – of this personal call. Interestingly, after fleeing Egypt, Moses chooses to become a shepherd in the land of Midian. He was living out his life in obscurity, but after 40 years of shepherding sheep, God appeared to him and spoke to him from a burning bush in the middle of nowhere and called him to shepherd his people out of bondage in Egypt (Exodus 3). The first two words spoken by God were “Moses, Moses.” Calling his name once was personal enough, but calling it twice was extra personal. It was like God was saying, “I know who you are, but I want to make sure you know who I am.” But to underscore who was speaking to him from the burning bush, the Lord said, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” God’s presence turns even a wilderness into holy ground.
We can safely assume Moses instantly obeyed God’s command because the next thing God does is identify himself. He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” It was a very personal and powerful moment for Moses. The passage tells us, “At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God” (Exodus 3:6).
What was the nature of this fear that came upon Moses? It was no doubt a real human fear for his life that he found himself so dangerously near to the Living God, the Almighty God, the Creator God, the Lord of the heavenly hosts. But it was also the kind of reverential fear that the unholy should have for the Holy and the powerless should have for the Powerful. Moses covered his face as a spontaneous show of personal humility and ultimate respect for God.
With that God reveals his plan and purpose for his Chosen people and his selected servant. There is absolutely no ambiguity in God’s call. He makes it very plain. He’s heard the cries of his suffering people in Egypt, and he’s ready to deliver them. Then he plainly tells Moses this: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” It doesn’t get any plainer than that. This is the clarion call of God – to serve him in a certain role and given a significant responsibility that is greater than his own small existence, selfish desires, and personal doubts.
Moses, however, like so many who are called, resisted. Despite all of God’s assurances of his success as the shepherd leading his people out of bondage, he balked. He did not think he was equal to the task. He told God all the reasons he wasn’t the man for the job. He resisted, but God persisted.
As far as I know, Moses was the only person to meet God in a literal burning bush experience, but he is certainly not the only person to have something like a burning bush experience, to find oneself on holy ground in the presence of the Living God, being overcome with fear while receiving a very personal, powerful, plain, and persistent call of God – a clarion call to shepherd God’s people out of bondage and into freedom.
Ministry Update and Prayer Requests
March was a very momentous month our ministry and our personal lives. Elliott’s mother died at home on Sunday, March 3. Her memorial service was held on Saturday, March 16. Many family members came from across the country, including our daughter, Laura. Thank you for your many thoughtful expressions of love and support. Please continue to pray for us.
On Sunday, March 17, I preached my last message at Bedon Baptist Church in Walterboro. My work there as Interim Pastor was most rewarding, and the people were very eager and responsive to the things we attempted to do to move the church forward in preparation for their new pastor who began his ministry there on Easter morning. Please pray for Bedon and for Compass Coach as we continue our work through the SCBC. Pray that I will be discerning as to any new assignments the Lord might have for me. For now, may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ abound in all.