Called By God

The concept of "call" is central to the ministry. You don't simply "decide" to become a minister...but rather you hear a call. The implication being that somehow the role is set apart for those who truly have a vocation to serve God in the ordained ministry.

The theme of God's call is quite prevalent in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. We read of familiar prophets being called by God from Samuel to Jonah. Even more prevalent, though is the notion that the average, everyday person of faith is called by God to fulfill God's will on earth.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This is also true for many "average Christians". Daily life is seen in terms of God's call or God's purpose for their lives. It is an entire world view around which all else revolves.

When we take that sense of call and carry it into public life it can have great impact. Many public servants, Obama included, have understood their careers in politics to be motivated by their faith principles.

As contradictory as this may sound, it is the very same reason why Sarah Palin continues to worry me.

The only reason I can imagine that this woman said "yes" to John McCain was because the idea so came out of left field...she felt it must have been God's will for her life. She has said herself that her political career in Alaska was clearly God's will for her and the people of Alaska.

This kind of thinking also lends itself to her personal vision. She sees herself as a maverick because she is just an average working stiff who has made it thus far.

Below is just a quick snippet from today's radio interview with conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt:

HH: Governor, your candidacy has ignited extreme hostility, even some hatred on the left and in some parts of the media. Are you surprised? And what do you attribute this reaction to?

SP: Oh, I think they’re just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying you know what? It’s time that normal Joe six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency, and I think that that’s kind of taken some people off guard, and they’re out of sorts, and they’re ticked off about it, but it’s motivation for John McCain and I to work that much harder to make sure that our ticket is victorious, and we put government back on the side of the people of Joe six-pack like me, and we start doing those things that are expected of our government, and we get rid of corruption, and we commit to the reform that is not only desired, but is deserved by Americans.

So it doesn't matter that she knows nothing, lies about a lot of things and generally fudges through the rest of it...she is just an average Joe finally being represented in the position of v.p.

The audacity of the comment would infuriate me except I know that would sound elitist.

Suffice it to say that I hope the majority of Americans at this point in our nation's history don't also feel that Joe Six Pack is (finally) being called by God for this role.

Somehow I will find comfort in Matthew's Gospel:

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (20:16)