Called to Holy Orders

Called to Holy Orders

Those of us that have received the call to ministry are among a select group, not because any are special, but because of the harvest and the need to reap its fruit.  Each person, male or female, has already been endowed with the specific charisms for their particular task.  

When the Lord  told Jeremiah he was sending him to his people the response was he could not accept the task the Lord was assigning him.  “The word of the Lord came to me thus; Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.  Ah, Lord God!  I said, I know not how to speak, I am too young.”  (Jer 1: 4-6).

“But the Lord answered me, '' Say not I am too young, To whomever I send you, you shall go; whomever I command you, you shall speak.  Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”  (Jer 1: 7 -8).

One may feel the call as a command from the Holy Spirit and pray that it is an entrance into a life never expected.  To some the call comes as a tiny whisper like Elijah in the entrance to the cave he was hiding in.  To others the call may present itself in the heat of experience at the most inappropriate time, but will know it has come from God.  (1 Kgs. 19: 9 - 13).

Each person God opens the opportunity to fulfill his purpose never goes without the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit.  There may be times when the road ahead appears to be treacherous and just like Jonah the impending task looks too difficult and  you may seek a way around this.  

Do not think for a moment that the path ahead is not already known by God and he will clear the way to accomplish his purpose through your ministry.  See the words to Jeremiah from Jer. 1: 7-8, as printed above.  “Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you says the Lord.”

Ministry is a simple vocation to look for the fruit in people who are hurting and lost.  The parable about the fig tree, “And he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know rhe kingdom of God is near.”  Lk. 21: 29-31).

So it is when you are about the task of reaching the sinners your purpose is to quickly grasp them when their disbelief is in jeopardy.  This is what the Lord called you for; “I have come for the lost sheep and will quickly bring them home.”  

Ralph B. Hathaway