“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32)
God calls each of us to a specific assignment, but our responses and attitudes often differ. Every one of us carries a divine calling, and His call is not limited to a particular group, family, or race. It is for everyone. It is a call to make Jesus Christ known to every tribe and nation. As long as the earth endures, and until our Lord Jesus returns in His glory for His bride, there will always be souls to be won to His kingdom.
Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This great commission is God’s primary mandate for all believers to preach the good news and bring others into His kingdom.
Some respond immediately, like Paul, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their boats at once to follow Jesus. Others, like Moses, offer countless excuses. Some delay their obedience as long as possible, while others, like Jonah and even Peter when sent to minister to Cornelius, initially refuse. There are those who have heard or read about the call and have responded, but are honestly unsure of how to proceed. For the longest time, I was in this category. Then, there are those who claim not to hear God’s call at all.
A common misconception is that responding to God’s call automatically means becoming a pulpit minister, serving only within the walls of a church. In reality, ministry extends far beyond the physical church building. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” If we broaden our understanding and remain open to God’s word, we will realize that our pulpit can be anywhere: our workplace, business, neighborhood, or any space where God has positioned us.
Jesus said in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Wherever we find ourselves, we are called to lift up Christ, represent Him, and share His message, being His light in every sphere of influence (Matthew 5:14-16).
This call demands immediate attention. The moment we come to know Christ, we are entrusted with the assignment of making Him known. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” This means that every aspect of our lives must align with this divine mandate.
Everything we engage in our careers, marriages, relocations, and even raising children should be approached with the ultimate goal of revealing Christ to the world. Our decisions, priorities, and daily activities must be structured around fulfilling this call. As Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
We must be intentional about pursuing only what advances God’s kingdom, ensuring that our lives reflect His purpose. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When we make God’s call our priority, everything else falls into place.
In this series, we will explore God’s call to two distinct groups of people Jonah and the Israelites in Haggai’s time, their responses to His call, and how God acted in response to their obedience.
