Called!

August 8th, 2015| Topic: RaMbLeS | 2

Ten whole years have passed. And quickly at that. I was ordained at Plano Bible Chapel (PBC) on Aug 7, 2005.

[Here’s a piece I wrote for RaMbLeS on my one-year ordination anniversary.]

I am grateful to Pastor Larry of PBC and the rest of the terrific men who sat on my Ordination Committee (pictured here). I am grateful to them and to the church for the faith and trust reposed in me. For that is what is signified in the laying of hands upon the ordinand. An expression of faith. An affirmation of trust. A commemoration of call. A confirmation of ministry.

It’s nothing magical. It’s not even a Scriptural prescription, though the Bible does give us several descriptions of this corporate commissioning. Nonetheless, it was a milestone in my life. It always will be. A time of reflection on the past, of rejoicing with family and friends in the present, and of readying for the future.

Indeed, that ought to be a norm for the believer. The Bible explicitly declares, many times, that every believer in Christ is “called.” In that sense, all Christians are “ordained” to be part of …

… a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people for God’s own possession,
so that you may proclaim
the excellencies of Him
who has called you
out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

This is no mean thing, God’s calling us. He has done so in his grace, saving us for a purpose—to reflect his glory.

[God] … has saved us and called us
with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to
His own purpose and grace ….
2 Timothy 1:9

Ordained formally or not, God has called each of us. He has called us to serve him with all that he has given us as stewards—time, resources, energy, means ….

… it is required of stewards
that one be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2

Our response is to be faithful to the call. Faithful to the Caller. Faithful to our duty. Faithful to the end. Faithful!

… walk in a manner
worthy of the calling
with which you have been called.
Ephesians 4:1

And yet the Bible is realistic about our capability to be faithful. We are often “those of little faith,” of foibles aplenty, of fallible natures, failing often. What a blessing it is to realize that even …

If we are faithless,
He remains faithful.
2 Timothy 2:13

Life is not a celebration of our faithfulness. Ordination is not a flourish of trumpets heralding our own faithfulness. Not in the least! It is, on the contrary, a proclamation of God’s faithfulness. The faithfulness of the One who has promised to see us through it all.

Faithful is He who calls you,
and He also will bring it to pass.
1 Thessalonians 5:24

My ordination left its mark indelibly upon me. I pray daily that I may be a good steward of the trust of those who laid their hands on me.

Even more must we all pray that we would be good stewards of what our faithful God has laid upon us. Let us resolve to undertake humbly and faithfully whatever God lays ahead of us, doing all things through Christ, in the power of his Spirit, for his glory, the edification of His people, and the furtherance of his kingdom.

And …

Let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were
called in one body;
and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15