READING: Amos 7:1-9:15, 2 Kings 14:28-29, 2 Kings 15:6-29, 2 Chronicles 26:22-23, Isaiah 6:1-13
I find it all quite amazing, actually.
For reasons I will likely never understand this side of eternity, God chooses to call us into ministry to be His representatives and spokespersons to the nations. None of us is worthy. None of us is qualified on our own, regardless of the number of degrees we have earned. None of us can in our own strength accomplish all that ministry demands.
I’ve seen God unexpectedly call teenagers to prepare for ministry (like my story). I’ve seen him call leaders out of sinful, sordid pasts. I’ve seen Him call people who face unique physical challenges to do His work. I’ve seen Him call people no one else would have ever considered for this work. And, as today’s reading shows, I’ve read of His calling a herdsman, a shepherd, a nobody—that is, Amos—to prophecy to His wayward people.
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, ordered Amos to halt his prophesying and return to Judah, but Amos replied this way: “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel’” (Amos 7:14-15).
You see, it doesn’t matter where we come from; what matters are the words, “but the Lord called me.” It really is all amazing.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Might God be calling you into ministry today? Or to a change in ministry?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I want to be available and open to Your work, whatever that means for my life today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 15:32-38, 2 Chronicles 27:1-9, Micah 1:1-16, 2 Kings 16:1-9, 2 Chronicles 28:1-15, Isaiah 7:1-25