Hey guys! I am SUPER PUMPED to share this message with all of you today! I pray this message not only encourages, but excites you to be willing to step into what God has called you to do. We will be reading from the book of Matthew 28: 18-20. “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age’.”
Turn to your neighbor and shout “We Are Called”! Many of you have heard this plenty of times, but don’t know what God means when He says we are called. Some of us may not even know when God calls us and what we should do when He does. Today, I am going to break that down and tell you exactly what He has told me. In the verse I read earlier, it says “Go and make disciples of all nations.” God instructs us very clearly just by one word. Do any of you know what it might be? It’s the word “go”! Most people, including myself, have looked past this word and don’t even think twice to really understand what it means to simply go. The dictionary definition defines it as to “move from one place to another”. Sounds easy right? Every day we “go” whether it’s walking to the kitchen or driving to work, but what does God really mean when He instructs us to “go”? He says to listen to His instructions and to follow them time to time again in the bible. And you know this specific verse is very clear on what He has called us to do. The Lord says we are here on this earth to spread the good news that is coming forth each day; to share His unfailing love to all people. Hearing these commands will teach you to listen and be willing to take a step of faith. To be willing to follow His path for you, wherever it may go, and to say “yes” to the one who has anointed you.
Tell yourself, “We Are Willing”! In Isaiah 6:8 it says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us? I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” A few months ago, I had never heard this verse and didn’t know how much it would mean to me until now. Around September of last year, I had been wanting to do more to bring people together and share what God has promised us. I wasn’t sure what the next step was and what God was calling me to do, so I asked Him. Long story short, God led me to this website called World Race which is a site for young adults to get involved in missionary work and to ultimately lead more people to the feet of Jesus. With that, I applied, had an interview, and will be spending 2 months in Swaziland and South Africa this summer. Through this experience, God gave me my answer and my next step that I was asking for and praying about. He taught me in this season that I had to be willing to leave the comfort of my well-being and fully depend on Him. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you”. While I’ve been preparing for this trip, it took me awhile to realize that. There was a flood of emotions, just doubts and anxiety taking over me, but when I gave all that baggage to God and started choosing Him and focusing on my relationship with Him, that’s when I started walking in His light instead of hiding in the darkness. Now, ask God what your calling is, be ready for His answer, and start trusting He will guide you along the way.
And for our third and final point for today, put your hands up and say, “We Are Trusting”! When you take this third and final step, God shows you how much He is there for you. His words become actions and you will start to see it all around you. When I began to put my trust in Him, He cast all my fears out and provided my every need. Just last week, I had been worried about fundraising for my trip and if I’d ever been fully funded. As I prayed to God about this, I laid it all before Him and left it at His feet. His spirit gave me peace and He told me He heard my call. And He sure did! In just two days, over $1,000 was donated. I’ve had people message me asking what they could do to help and just everything that I prayed about, has been answered or fallen into place. It says in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” God has shown us through His word and through His actions that we can trust our life in His hands. That He is going to love us, care for us, and lead us exactly where we need to go.
So, brothers and sisters, pray to God about His calling on your life. You were made to do great and bold things for His Kingdom. You were made to love and lead others to know more of who He is. You were made to share your story with this world of how God rescued you from sin and changed your life. So, remember, We Are Called, We Are Willing, We Are Trusting, and for now and forever We Are World Changers…
Yours truly,
Jamie Schroeder 🙂
