– Called And Surrounded
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Corinthians 1 and Psalm 125 (NIV)
(Patricia Koh, SGM Zone 11, APZL)
READ:
1 Corinthians 1 and Psalm 125 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
From 1 Cor 1, the word “called’ spoke to my heart.
vs 1: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…”
vs 9: “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord”
To be called is to accept and fulfil our God-given purposes. God calls us to be His disciples and to do the work He calls us to. A ‘call’ may refer to a vocational calling, a call to submit to His authority, or a call to take up His yoke and serve
From Psalm 125, the word “surround(s).” stood out for me.
vs 2: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore”
The promise for those who trust God is the assurance He is still with us, regardless of situations, circumstances or feelings. He will not forsake us. His presence surrounds us.
APPLY:
I have been ‘called’ to contribute towards BRD devotions several times in the past.
Unfortunately, writing is not my strongest suit. So, when asked recently, I was grateful to be ‘released’ from the task as I was preoccupied with another church ministry.
Since I enjoyed this ‘grace’ once, I was less angsty to say “no” when approached a month later to do a BRD reflection for SWR (Strangely Warm Retreat). Afterall, I cannot make it to this SWR.
But then sometimes when God ‘calls,’ He pursues us relentlessly, no matter how much we ‘siam’ (avoid). God pursued me.
A few weeks later, after I was approached to facilitate a study group for Wesley’s sermon series on First Corinthians, I received another email invitation to write a BRD reflection on 1 Corinthians 1. God cannot be clearer about His wanting me to obey. It also struck me that the Graceworks eCommentary (issue 25/23) which I just read was based on 1 Corinthians!
With a sigh of surrender and a submissive chuckle, I acceded to God’s call and completed writing this BRD reflection. I relied on God to write. He graciously surrounded me with ideas and the words to pen this personal devotion.
DO:
This is the backstory to today’s BRD devotional.
While I am still learning to say ‘no’ without feeling excessive guilt to unplanned, unexpected, or unscheduled ‘calls’ to serve, I will remain open to checking in with God whenever repeated calls keep popping up.
Is this a ‘call’ from God? If so, I must sit up and pay attention. I must cease running away and instead, surrender, submit, trust, and obey.
PRAY:
Father God,
You desire us to be a united family church. You sometimes call us to do our part – both big and small tasks, to work with one another harmoniously in building and strengthening your church at Wesley. Grant me the wisdom to discern and obey your calling(s). I thank you that you will always surround and grant me the ability and resources to get the job done, regardless of nagging self-doubts and personal inadequacies. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
