God's Fingerprints

 

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3 ESV).

 

It is not unusual for more than one person to ask me the same question on the same day regarding an issue they are having. Long ago I recognized how God manages my schedule much better than I. Last week three different people in one day asked me how they could know what God was calling them to do. Without spending several pages explaining my answer let’s briefly look at the passage I’ve chosen as our reading today.

 

In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples they would be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In Acts 13 the church at Antioch, including Saul and Barnabas, prayerfully waited for direction from God. The church of Jesus Christ is called to listen for the Spirit’s leading as we ask, “What do you want us to do next?” The Antioch church was fasting and praying in a position of readiness, eager to hear the Lord’s orders and to obey them. And the Spirit of God responded with a clear directive: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

 

The burden of a “calling” is not on the individual alone. Barnabus and Saul (later to become Paul) were prepared, called, and sent by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives from the moment they were born. It is amazing how easy it becomes to do what we are meant to do when we recognize this as the will and purpose of God. It is especially important to see that the preparation of God begins long before we even realize our faith in Him. Neither Paul nor Barnabus were believers when their preparation began for the work they were to do. This is the method of God in His work in our lives. Often, I have looked back and only then realized what God had already prepared me to do in the future. The past can be a great encouragement for us as we make decisions for the future. Trust the work of God in your life. Walk in that path and true happiness will be yours!