August 8, 2009

Who am I...

But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’ Amos 7:14-15

What do you do for a living? What kind of work are you involved in? These are questions that people ask of each other daily. They are attempting to get to know you--find out something about you. For some reason, they feel that if they learn what kind of profession you are in that it would give them some insight into who you are. Perhaps...and perhaps not.

What we need to understand more than anything else in life is this... We are not defined by our trade or profession. Our identity does not come from what we do for a living. Our identity comes from God and our obedience to what he has called us to do. Amos understood this concept. He realized that his ability to be who God desired him to be was not limited to the simple fact that his trade was a shepherd. His identity was tied to his ability to hear God's voice, heed the call of God and obediently DO what God ask. As a shepherd, men would have proclaimed that Amos was not qualified to do what God called him to do. However, Amos knew that if God calls a man to do something, then God will also prepare and qualify him to do that thing.

What about you? Does your profession or trade stand between you and what God has called you to do? Are you hesitant to be obedient because you feel that you are not qualified? GET OVER IT! What God calls you to do He will gift you to do! Step out and be obedient. Remember, you are a leader. Lead with diligence! Lead without hesitation! And lead with your lifestyle as an example! But whatever you do, LEAD! God requires it and the world needs it!

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