Can God's Calling Become Distorted?

I’ve always been impressed with Jonah, the Old Testament prophet who refused to go to Nineveh to preach God’s message of salvation. Jonah refused God’s call because he felt ambivalent about what would happen to him if he failed or was successful.

By reading the book, it appeared that Jonah never accepted that God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness were unrestricted and open to all who believed and repented. Cautious optimism for God loving the people of Nineveh was challenging for Jonah.

Sometimes a reality check is necessary to determine if cautious optimism distorts your thoughts and feelings which then prevents you from being accountable for what you could be or do for God. As you think about the Lord Jesus Christ being Savior for all people, rid yourself of any distortions of clarity.

Then you will be joyful in your heart and soul by being able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord God.

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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

~James 1:4 New International Version 

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What Is the Mandate God Assigns to Each Believer?

The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung believed some people were able to know things not naturally learned. These people may realize they possess insight designed to benefit God’s plan and purpose for them as well as for others.

What greater motive for creativity and accountability could there be, realizing you are privileged to be doing what honors and pleases the Lord God? Jesus referred to this as laying up incorruptible treasures in heaven.

Jesus gave us a related truth in the “Parable of the Mustard Seed”. The wonder and power in a tiny mustard seed is similar to the power of faith and trust God assigns to believers in Christ Jesus. Jesus confirms in John 16:13 he would send the Holy Spirit to guide believers into all truth he had taught. 

That mandate is to learn whatever is within the scope of your ability to assimilate and then be accountable to God for that information.    

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Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove to be faithful. 

~1 Corinthians 4:2 New International Version

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Does God Hold Us Accountable for How We Choose to Live?

Claiming ownership can be much more involved and misleading than actually taking possession. It’s somewhat of a misnomer to say we own a house or car when in reality the bank or mortgage company is the owner until the credit contract is paid in full.

The concept of ownership covers an expansive range well beyond physical properties. I heard a proud father of four high achieving adult sons and daughters jokingly say that he knew these were his kids for he had the birth certificates and DNA evidence to prove it.

This father believed he was accountable to God and his children for teaching them values for living. His teachings ensured they would experience some measurable happiness and success. God does hold us accountable for our choices. Taking ownership of success and failure is indicative of maturity, for it communicates you are accountable to God and others for what you do and the choices you make.

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For we all must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 

~2 Corinthians 5:10 New International Version 

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How Do Parents Gain the Respect of Their Children?

It is within human nature to try to please others by being nice. However parents can’t always be nice if appropriate discipline and boundaries are used to teach children how to live in a family and society. Refusing to enforce rules and boundaries goes against God’s guidelines for parenting.

Making every effort to please is an attempt to avoid feeling guilty. Unreal or pseudo guilt is triggered by the failure to please everyone. At this juncture ask, “Is it better to be loved and accepted at this moment or to be respected?”

Most parents know children will not always like them, maybe even hate them.

Children who respect their parents go out into the world with a greater chance for success than those who have been pampered and coddled. Let this appeal be yours from Psalm 25:4-5: “Show me your way, O Lord. Teach and guide me in your truths, for you are my God and my hope.”

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

~Isaiah 55:8-9 New International Version

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Can I Guard Against Self-sabotage?

Friends play a significant role in each person’s life from childhood onward. There are many levels of friendship, ranging from casual to best friends. In healthy friendships the ties that bind individuals together are personal strengths like commitment, trust, respect, and abiding love.

Mutual weaknesses exist in friendships, but mutual strengths tend to compensate for weaknesses in each other’s character and personality. Samuel’s role was to mentor Saul on how to be king, but more importantly, to listen and obey God’s instructions. This was to be his highest objective.

1 Samuel 15 reveals Saul’s propensity for self-sabotage leading to God’s rejecting him as Israel’s king. God rejected Saul for disobedience and for lying about being obedient. Living within God’s boundaries is the best deterrent to self-sabotage. Daily acknowledging the presence of God in your life should always be your highest priority.  

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All day and all night your hand was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you an stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess my sins to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

~Psalm 32:4-5 The Living Bible

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In What Ways Is God Taking Care of You?

Every individual and family will experience a crisis at some level in due time. A crisis may appear totally unexpected, creating surprise, confusion, and sadness. It is possible to diminish the impact of a crisis by realizing there are ways of managing a response when it does come.

God is in the business of helping us when we seek his guidance in every aspect of life. Psalm 32:7 provides these assuring words: “You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” When a crisis occurs, help is available.

Counter weaknesses with your strengths instead of delaying to take action. Permit challenges to be a blessing by realizing change is needed. Take care of your body, for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. In this season of Thanksgiving, praise God with gratitude for his love, guidance, and provision.                         

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God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you…Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!…Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

~Psalm 63:1,3,7 New Living Translation

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Is It Difficult to Keep Your Love for God Constant?

There are moments in life that provide an opportunity to wipe your slate clean and institute changes centered around an attitude that is  pleasing to God. The Prodigal Son had made a complete mess of his life but decided to pick himself up and make something out of the life God had given him.

He started by permitting himself to conceptualize what was feasible for him to accomplish. He then decided to change his attitude that had produced conflict and alienation. Most would agree that it’s difficult to make healthy changes to keep your thinking and behavior in line with what God will bless.

So what changes in attitude do you need to make that demonstrate you have a clean slate to stand by regardless of the external and internal pressure you encounter to renege on your commitment? Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” If you ask God to help you love him, your commitment has greater potential for success. Loving God is a choice you can make now.                         

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Jesus said, “’Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list.”

~Matthew 22:37-38 The Message

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