When I'm Calling YOU

The above title refers (to those of the younger set) to a song sung by Jeanette McDonald and Nelson something or other. They were  a singing duo and this particular song was sung while he was wearing a mounties uniform--as in Canadian Mounties. Look it up, I kid you not. But I digress.

This Sunday in our Adult Sunday School Class we discussed what it meant to be "called". Pastor suggested that the term "called" had religious connotations to it and therefore was off putting to some people. I guess we could have asked each other what we feel compelled to do even though it may not be what we usually do. This is one explanation of being called. We also kicked around the idea that being called to do something doesn't have to have religious leanings. You could be feeling compelled to call people on the phone to see how they are. You could be really good at cooking for large gatherings of people and therefore be available when the Thanksgiving Dinner rolls around to help out in the kitchen. You could be good at listening to people who need someone to listen to them in whatever station of life they are in. We kind of agreed, I think, that being called to the do the work of the Lord involves a kind of service to others. I might feel like I'm called to stand in front of people and spout a bunch of stuff, but really, if it's just so I can show off, I don't think its the same thing as being there to help someone in a soup kitchen.

The qualifying thing then seems to be that you feel like you need to do something for someone else, not just for your enjoyment or edification. The service aspect of our relationships to each other is what sets the "called" aspect from the "look at me" aspect. A friend of mine says she doesn't know what she is called to do, but she knows what it feels like when God seems to be tapping her on the shoulder. And you don't really want to ignore the tap, as I have a feeling it will continue until you do something about it.

I feel called to write this blog. Sometimes I pretend I don't. Sometimes I ignore the tap and continue for a few weeks before being reminded that this is something I do, not just for myself, but I hope for others who may wander in and rest a bit. So I hope you can reflect a little on what you might be called to do and how that calling is shared with others. And if you get a chance, look up that singing duo I mentioned in the first sentence and remind me, just what the heck was that guys name??