ALWAYS CHASE AFTER THAT WHICH IS GOOD

LORD, What is my calling?

What am I to do?

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (29) For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (30) and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. {Rom 8:28-30}

Saint Paul was convinced that he was on the Lord's ordained path as he chased, arrested and witnessed the deaths of those who were of the "Way" (Followers of Christ). One day, Paul saw the light, literally! His path would never be the same again. And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.. {Act 9:5} God had a plan for Paul and it all began before Paul was born. In his mother's womb, as his tiny bones were being knitted together, The Lord caused his tiny heart to begin beating. Paul would be gifted at this moment with talents, skills, and specific temperaments that HE, the living God, would call upon years later "On the Road to Damascus".

Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, were all equipped before birth with specific talents and strengths that would be called upon by the Creator in order that His will might be done. Accomplishing His will through these human vessels created by His hands. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased (16) to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood.... {Gal 1:15-16} Paul showed up!

Army Sergeant Brent Crawford was an E-5 Sgt with over 22 years in the Army when we first met. Twenty-two years, never busted or reduced in grade. Let that sink in. He was perfectly happy being a buck sergeant, refusing promotion after promotion. Crawford's job was serving as a "Dumpster-Diver", an equipment and material recovery specialist. God had so ordained this soldier at birth with certain talents and characteristics that suited him perfectly to his adult soldierly task of recovering things tossed out, items of worth and value that should not have been thrown out. He was very good. Sgt Crawford was also color blind and barley five foot five in height. Both of these being usual dis qualifiers for Army service. The color blindness afforded Sgt Crawford the ability to see patterns and shapes that normal sighted people could not see. Camouflage was useless around this NCO. As a result, the Lord provided the needed waivers allowing him to continue serving, and the Army began redesigning their technique of camouflage.

Over his eventual 26 years of service, Crawford retired as a Buck Sergeant, and was recognized as saving the U.S. Department of Defense multiple millions of dollars in recovered, serviceable material and equipment. One of Brent Crawford's last official acts of "Dumpster Diving" resulted in the recovery of a newborn baby girl that had been disposed of at Robinson Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. His color blindness made her tiny body immediately visible among the various other colored material and food products in the Mess Hall dumpster. Tiny Hannelori survived and grew into a beautiful and intelligent young woman who founded a number of orphan support facilities in Europe. Crawford was right where he needed to be and exactly when God needed him. He showed up.

Crawford was a Godly man, born again, who quietly presented himself everyday to do his job. The Lord gave him a specific set of talents and characteristics that resulted in continuity of God's will through HIS Creation, HIS vessel. We know for certain that at least one tiny life was saved through his God given (or modified) abilities. Who knows if the millions of dollars of recovery he was responsible for shaped the lives of other folks over the years. Just by showing up and using that which the Lord gave him at birth, by God's grace, Sgt Crawford fulfilled the Creator's will. Praise You Lord!

LORD, What is my calling?

To serve and please your God, to love Jesus with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul; and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. That is your calling. That is your purpose. That is your job.

What am I to do?

From the moment of your conception, the Potter fashioned you into a one of a kind vessel, endowed with unique talents and gifts of His creation. You are unlike any other. Just as the sunrise has never repeated in it's colorful glory, God created you to bring glory to His Majesty and Holiness. Whatever your talent, whatever you are good at and excel in, do that. Do what you do best but do it in HIS glory and in HIS name. Show up. Be available. Represent HIM well. Learn of HIM.

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. {Gen 1:31}

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?