Updated Monday, March 31, 2008

Bible Studies for Life lesson for April 6: Exploring New Direction

By Catherine Painter

Focal Passages: Genesis 12:1-8; 13:5-9, 14-16

The bumper sticker read, "God said it; I believe it; that settles it."

"Wait!" I argued, "God's not waiting for me to believe it. He said it; that settles it."

Abram manifested that philosophy by leaving Ur of Chaldees to travel to a land God promised to show him. Picture Abram gathering family, animals, servants, and belongings and moving out to explore a new direction, and at age 75.

During our ministry, my husband Jack and I heard God calling four times to move from churches we loved to unfamiliar territory. When Jack retired, God called us to move from Belmont in order not to interfere with the next pastor's ministry.

"My preaching days are over," Jack moaned. "I'll be a stranger in Raleigh where preachers with better name recognition will fill interim pastorates."

I struggled with my own insecurities - losing overnight both my identities - career teacher and minister's wife. What would God do now with us two nobodies? Perhaps we'd fulfill Will Rogers' prediction: "We can't all be heroes. Someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."

To our delight, God issued new calls upon our lives - Jack to a series of eight interim pastorates, and me to writing and speaking ministries.

When we feel too old for a new call from God, let's evaluate calls we already have. We're all called to a relationship with God through Christ, our families, and often to a specific work. In God's economy all of life is equally important.

When someone asked the old shoemaker about his trade, he answered, "I'm in full-time Christian service. I cobble shoes to pay the bills."

We're never too old for God to call us to new direction. The question is, "Are we listening for His call?"

Will we answer, "Call back later," "Can I put you on hold?" "Leave a message and I'll return your call" or, along with Samuel, answer, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening" (See 1 Sam. 3:9). God said, "I know the plans I have for you ... to give you a future" (Jer. 29:11). You can take that to the bank, because God said it, and that settles it.