READING: Jeremiah 4-5, 1 Timothy 1
God’s calling on our lives is remarkable. As one called to preach God’s Word, I’m amazed by His willingness to use me. I would not be nearly as patient with others as He has been with me . . . .
On the other hand, today’s New Testament reading reminds us that our calling is hardly about us in the first place. Indeed, Paul begins his letter to Timothy with these reminders:
- God’s calling is not just a generic calling for all persons in this case; it’s a specific call for a specific person with a specific name: Paul.
- God’s call is clear—Paul is an “apostle,” one sent out as a messenger and envoy on behalf of his King.
- Paul is called “by command of our God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Tim 1:1). That is, there’s nothing in Paul that makes him worthy of his calling; it’s entirely a calling based on the gracious work of a loving God who chooses to use one who was formerly “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (1 Tim 1:13).
- Paul views himself as the “foremost” of sinners (1 Tim 1:15)—hardly one expected to be an apostle extraordinaire.
It’s funny to me, actually, that we recognize these truths about Paul’s life when we preach his story, but we don’t always recognize the same about our own lives. It’s one thing to see Paul’s sin and unworthiness that he so graphically describes as the Spirit directs him to write; it’s a different matter, though, to recognize our own unworthiness—especially when we often choose to overlook or “water down” our own sin. We don’t always see ourselves as the foremost of sinners, so nor do we see our calling as solely the gracious work of God.
Perhaps I’m the only pastor and church leader who wrestles with this reality even though I’ve already written that I’m amazed by God’s willingness to use me. If so, say a prayer for me. If not, let’s say a prayer for each other.
PRAYER: “Lord, I’m humbled that You would choose to use any of us.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 6-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-3:13