Qualified预览

God calls us to a life more than what we can carry on our own. In John 14, Jesus prepared His disciples for what would come after He physically left them, telling them of the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit helps us, advocates for us, and is with us forever.

Forever is not a one-time event.

God's calling isn’t a one-time event but a constant wooing, a continual song that draws us closer and closer to His heart. The song of His calling is always new, always fresh, always hopeful for tomorrow because He is in tomorrow. God is always singing over you. He is always present and speaking new life into barrenness. Let Him renew your life, every moment of it.

A dear friend and worship pastor, who has since gone to his forever home in the presence of God, often reminded our worship team that there was a point where we had to put the actual act of leading worship in God’s hands. This meant we needed to let go. Before each weekend service, this friend would lead us in prayer in a side hallway, where there were no lights or distractions. As we prayed together in the dark, we knew that whatever preparation that was done (or that we wish we had done) was ultimately in the past.

In a deep Manchester accent, he prayed for each of us in the dark hallway, giving thanks for who God called us to be, and reminding us of our Father’s amazing love. He pointed us back to the Light and the source of a continual calling.

Oh, how I loved that dark hallway. A lot of holy qualification, a lot of gratitude, and a reminder of our callings happened in that dark hallway.

My friend, where is your hallway today? Where is the place that you come to put it all at God’s feet? Where is the place you stop and posture yourself before the God who loved you so much that He sent His only Son to secure infinite salvation for you? Where is the place you tell Him that all you have is for Him and ultimately in His hands?

The dark hallways in our lives are critical steps in our journeys. Our character is built in dark hallways, not on bright public platforms. The dark hallways are where we can trip and fall because we can’t find our footing around the instrument cases lined up on the floor. They are where we may not see the faces of others, but if we listen closely, we hear a Voice of Truth and encouragement. The dark hallway is where God’s Light takes over and we find Him.

Final Reflection

1. Where is your hallway? Do you have a regular place that you can go to and lay everything at God’s feet? If you don’t, think about and write down some possible places and times where you can go, perhaps even with some dear friends or mentors.
2. What “qualifications” do you have that you can offer to God today?
3. Do you feel that you have a specific calling in your life? Why or why not? What has God placed on your heart over these past few days?