Eltham Park Baptist Church

Dear Friends,

It was at another Graduation celebration in Nairobi that I was, again, asked to lead prayers. It was a privilege to do so, but I couldn’t resist making a few remarks first.

“This has been a great occasion and we are pleased to have joined you to celebrate. We have heard some great things about this young man’s competence – the awards he has received and the work that he has done to achieve this first class honours degree, a magnificent achievement. Nor is there any question about his character– we have heard many good things about his integrity, his leadership and his diligence. But there is something missing here today for we have not heard anything about his calling. His family and friends have spoken eloquently about their hopes and dreams for this young man, the future that they imagine lies ahead of him. Perhaps one day, as suggested, he will indeed be the CEO of an international company. But is that his calling? Is that what God is asking of him? Is that the future that God has, in his infinite wisdom, been preparing him for? I don’t know, but I do think we need to stop and ask God.”

There is much unnecessary confusion surrounding the concept of calling these days. Some people consider that God only rarely calls such mighty individuals as Abraham to ‘leave your country and go to the land that I will show you’(Genesis 12v1). And sometimes he does. Sometimes God calls an individual to an specific task. But when Jesus walked the earth he stood in front of a wide range of people and called them to ‘come and follow me’ (Mark 1v17). This call has been echoed by the church through the ages as they have striven to make disciples; people who are called to follow Jesus into the world, to go where He would go and do what He would do.

Sadly, we often get so caught up with what we want to do, or even what we assume that God wants of us that we never take the time to ask Him. Some while ago we considered God’s call to us as a church; what He is asking of us. Since then we have sought to ‘love one another as I have loved you’ (John 13v34). As we draw towards Christmas and the end of 2011, I wonder how faithful we have been to this calling. Have we loved one another as Christ loved us?

We are called to build a community where we are loved, but we can only do that by loving one another. I cannot make you love me, but I can love you. I cannot make myself feel loved by you, but I can make sure that you feel loved by me. We are not promised a community where I am loved, but we have promised to make a community where I love you. It is not always easy or comfortable, but that is what God has asked of us.

We must be honest with ourselves – who have I loved this week? Who have I invited for coffee or supper? Who have I introduced myself to and begun a new friendship? Only in this way, by talking our own responsibility, will we together fulfil our calling to ‘love one another as Christ loved us’. And by the way - out of sight, out of mind is no excuse!

Rev. Paul, November 2011