Call of Duty

How quickly our lives change and our thought processes change as we experience situations in our lives. The loss of a loved one or a close call of a dear friend quickly makes us realize how short life is and can be. Also, there are times when we are hit with a rather large blow about our health, finances, family situation or career. We may have a sudden change in our routines in these areas which cause us to think about life and wonder why these things happen.

The answer is clear. We have a call of duty in any situation. We have accountability to God, to others and to ourselves to be strong when the going gets tough. It is not the time to let feelings or thoughts move us away from doing what is right in God's eyes. When situations occur that seem unbearable at first, that is when we need to stand up and be strong and ask God what action we need to take.

When we hear of a tragic loss or of someone in need for food, clothing or shelter, we may feel bad for the families, pray and move on with our lives. We may think for a minute how sad it must be and then remember we have things to do or we would help out.

However, our call of duty is much higher than that. These situations happen for a reason, for a purpose. We are to ask God how He wants to us use in these situations and we are to take action.

James 1:22-25 “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Recently, over 41 people came forward and decided to make a change in their lives by putting Jesus in their hearts. This change occurred due to a tragic accident in our community. After this accident occurred, some thought about it and felt bad for the people involved, some prayed and some took action.

Those who thought about how tragic it was, how senseless it was, how bad the friends and family must feel, talked about the incident with others but never prayed or took action. They thought about doing something but just went back to their daily routines quickly forgetting about what happened.

Those who prayed thought about how tragic it was, but knew God would take control of the situation. They put their trust in God and knew their prayers would make a difference but they didn’t choose to step up and do more.

Those who took action, however, felt their call of duty. They thought and prayed and asked God what they could do to make a difference with this tragedy. They got together with others who wanted to do the same. In just a few days they took a tragic situation in the community and created an opportunity to witness. They took an opportunity to act. They took an opportunity to show they care.

Through the action of some to bring a group together who were mourning, God moved. He moved the lost toward him. He moved the saved by allowing them to witness His presence through all of the events. He moved those who heard about the meeting to share with others.

We all have a call of duty. It is to take action. It is to share. It is to witness. When we hear of situations in other people’s lives, we have a duty to act. When we have situations in our own lives, we have a duty to follow God’s direction and not our own. When situations occur, we have a duty to share with others what God is doing and what He can do. We need to move in God’s direction at all times no matter what the situation is and He will make the difference.