“The Call”
Written by Ashley Whitham for Mission Center Conference 2024
It’s Thursday morning. You just put the kids on the bus. You’re in the middle of doing the dishes, and God calls. You answer, obviously, but God says, “I need you.”
“Yes, God. Sunday morning at 11. I’ll be there!” you reply. But God says again, “I need you now.”
You look down at yourself. You haven’t dressed yet, still in your pajamas with your hair thrown up. “God, I’d need some time. I need to shower and get dressed first.” You don’t wait for God’s answer, but start to rush about the closet, picking out clothes. “God, what is this for? Will I need a jacket? Should I wear a suit?” God says, “I just need you.” That doesn’t help, but you grab something nice and rush into the shower. After you’re clean and dressed, you quickly look in the mirror. “God, I need a couple minutes to fix my face. Oh, and what about my hair?” God says, “I just need you.” No, if you’re being called by God, you need to make sure you’re looking the part. It’s been an hour since God called, but at least you look how you’re supposed to now, right?
You jump in your car. “Alright, God. Where are we going?”
” I don’t know where you’re going. I didn’t say you needed to drive anywhere.”
You pout. “What? God, you said you needed me, and I spent all morning getting ready and now I’m ready to do what you need me to do!”
God replies, “You don’t know what new thing I’m calling you to do. How do you know you’re ready?”
You look down at your clothes, your car. “But this is what I need to do to look my vest in the world, God.”
“Oh, did I ask you to look your best in the world?”
You slowly shake your head, no.
“What did I say?”
You slowly respond. “You said you need me.”
“Yes!” God shouts, ” I need you. I needed you this morning, just how you were. My call to you was not contingent on whether you had showered or dressed appropriately. I just needed you!”
You protest, “God! I was still in my pajamas, and kinda gross from doing dishes. What good was I then? I couldn’t serve You in that state.”
“Of course you can!” declared God. “When I call you, it’s to call YOU – exactly who you are, right now. All your flaws, all your doubts, all your uniqueness and individuality. I called you, in your pajamas. I called you with your hair a mess. You kept putting me off to meet the expectations of others, but that’s not what interests me. I want a disciple who will come as they are and will come when I call. Don’t put me on hold for the world. Answer me when I call.”