Stand Up and Be Counted

Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 6:17a, NKJV

A young man called me the other day just to pour out his heart regarding his future.  You see, over the past month and a half or so, it has been revealed to many in his Church that he has a specific call on his life.  Of course he is overjoyed at the thought of being used by God, but at the same time afraid to answer the call. 

As I continued my conversation with this young man, it became evident that the predominant emotion exuberating from his life was fear (I know, because when I was his age, I exuberated the same emotion…and still do when I face new challenges or seasons of change in my life).   So what did he have to be afraid of?  The call of God that is on his life (he’s called to be a full time worship leader).  The problem?  He doesn't want to be a lead, or as he put it “I don’t have what it takes to stand up and be the leader”.  What does he mean ‘he doesn't want to be a leader’?  Is it because he doesn't want the eyes of all upon him or is he afraid of being criticized and/or judged?  Hhmmm…we all have that same concern in one way or another and we don’t have to be in the public eye or classified as a leader.

So in an effort to ease his concerns, I thought it best to tell him a story, which I will share with you in a nutshell.  A young girl had a fear of people--which became evident on a day that she was to pose for a picture with her Brownie troupe.  On the designated day, she met with her troupe and posed for the picture; however once the photos were developed and presented to her parents, they became indignant because they could not locate their child in the photograph.  When they confronted her, she sheepishly showed them her location via her feet for she was hiding behind another member of her troupe in order not to be seen!

Now I know what you’re thinking:  what does this have to do with answering the call of God that is on your life…and here’s my answer:  this is how we as Christians operate.  We petition God to use us to do BIG things for the kingdom; however, when He issues the call and tells us to stand up and be counted, we tend to go and hide or we come up with every kind of excuse in the book not to take the lead or be responsible to carry out the assignment that He has given!

Bottom line is God is not calling us to hide.  He’s calling us to “come out from among them and be separate.”   He’s setting us aside so that we can be used to fulfill a specific task.  And that makes us different; however many who are chosen don’t want to be different for it requires that we stand up and be counted while others around us remain seated in what seems to be a comfortable life position.  But what I see is this:  the call of God on our life is a privilege...it’s a gift (and a unique blessing for the one who is called).  It is an opportunity to showcase our God in a favorable light and carries the potential to draw others into the kingdom…and that’s a cool responsibility.

So…if God has given you a word, revealed Himself to you in any kind of way, or called to walk in a certain direction, don’t be afraid to stand up and be counted.  Your willingness to stand in the face of the unknown will not only boost your confidence in who God has called you to be, but will place you in a position to advance the kingdom of God!

Blessings,

Lalanda