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- Apr 25, 2006
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The Calling
'I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not' 1 Corinthians 9:16
Don't be surprised if your vicar skips over Isaiah 20 in his Sunday sermons. It's the story of a stark naked prophet.
Parents cover children's eyes, teenagers giggle, and ladies throw underwear at streaker Isaiah, as they pass him in the street. No doubt the prophet felt like a prize loser as he clocked off from his job every night. Yet through the humiliation, our naturist discovers what it means to follow your calling (even if it means flashing your birthday suit in order to reveal God).
Isaiah's exhibitionism is a living message for the humiliation God is made to feel by His people. At the time all people could see was a butt-naked nutter who'd clearly lost the plot. But these days Isaiah is remembered as one of God's VIP messengers.
Sometimes following your calling may mean following a path that doesn't quite make sense. (However it is probably a good idea to check with someone wiser than you before taking to the high street starkers in order to 'reveal God'.)
But how do you recognise your God-destiny? First there'll be a tug on your heart-strings which just won't let up. Paul said, 'I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not.'
Do you feel compelled to sing or write or talk or help others? Do you feel like a part of you is missing unless you do a certain something? Well there's your first clue to your calling.
written by Bob Gass
'I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not' 1 Corinthians 9:16
Don't be surprised if your vicar skips over Isaiah 20 in his Sunday sermons. It's the story of a stark naked prophet.
Parents cover children's eyes, teenagers giggle, and ladies throw underwear at streaker Isaiah, as they pass him in the street. No doubt the prophet felt like a prize loser as he clocked off from his job every night. Yet through the humiliation, our naturist discovers what it means to follow your calling (even if it means flashing your birthday suit in order to reveal God).
Isaiah's exhibitionism is a living message for the humiliation God is made to feel by His people. At the time all people could see was a butt-naked nutter who'd clearly lost the plot. But these days Isaiah is remembered as one of God's VIP messengers.
Sometimes following your calling may mean following a path that doesn't quite make sense. (However it is probably a good idea to check with someone wiser than you before taking to the high street starkers in order to 'reveal God'.)
But how do you recognise your God-destiny? First there'll be a tug on your heart-strings which just won't let up. Paul said, 'I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not.'
Do you feel compelled to sing or write or talk or help others? Do you feel like a part of you is missing unless you do a certain something? Well there's your first clue to your calling.
written by Bob Gass
