THE CALL
MEAN?
Communitas: “Communitas” is a Latin term that means more than just community. Alan Hirsch says that communitas “involves adventure and movement, and it describes that unique experience of togetherness that only really happens among a group of people inspired by the vision of a better world, who actually attempt to do something about it.” We submit to each other, sharpen each other, and spur each to greater works.
Commission: The call of Christ is not a suggestion, or opinion, and it’s not just for Pastors. It is God’s claim over our entire lives to join Him in winning souls and reclaiming territory for His Kingdom. Christ commissions us all to go make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20). If you are truly answering the call of King Jesus, you will pour out your life, training others to trust, surrender to, and follow Christ.
When we answer the call, we are not waiting for new people, new information, or a new season. You don’t need to go to seminary, read the entire bible, or be debt free in order to get going. But you do need to get going. And you need to get on board. Some of us fear accountability. So we keep everything light. Some of us try to answer the call on our own terms. But it’s not a la carte.
It’s time to come up higher. I pray today that you would seek the face of God and find strength in Christ. I pray that the fire of Christ would seize your heart and give you a vision beyond yourself.
Jesus said that, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NLT)
His call addresses both the yearning of our ambition, and the groans of our soul. Jesus said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)
So what does this free and light rhythm sound like? It sounds like renewal in your soul, relationships, health, and personal vision. It sounds like joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness, a mess turned into a message of God’s favor (Isaiah 61) It sounds like the redemption of your dreams, your past, and your present situation. It sounds like other men’s lives, and the lives of their families, being changed for the better. It sounds like God’s dream of reproduction through Paul to Timothy, who said, “So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.”
(2 Timothy 2: 1-2 MSG)
It sounds like your life, as you answer the call.
- Dr. Onorio Chaparro
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