Understanding the Heart of the Call #1 of 5

I’m sitting in the airport waiting for the arrival of Flight 1770 (two hours delayed) reflecting on my week at General Council in Orlando Florida. There were many high points to the week. Incredible worship services, balanced with hours of strategic planning sessions (a new euphemism for business sessions). I had the privilege of representing the voice of the National Committee on Special Orders and General Legislation in the presentation of major changes in our constitution. In some of the limited free time, Cheryl and I were able to get in some time birding among the Flordia Wetlands. Anhingas, gallinules, Louisiana herons, osprey, little blue herons, cattle egret, great egrets and 6 alligators were among the highlights. As memorable as each of those were while we were away, my lasting memory of Council focuses on the messages delivered at Council.

Today I am reminded once again, that what we do matters, it matters a great deal. It matters above all other endeavors. We are those who stand in gap, work often in the shadow of others for the sake of the call. We serve as soldiers, seeking to please our Heavenly Commander, we compete as athletes seeking a heavenly reward, we labor day after day as farmers that a harvest may be reaped (2 Tim 2). We did not choose this time or even this place, but we have been chosen for such a time as this. In the day when the world deems our message irrelevant, our methods and modes outdate (John 15:16). In a time when spirituality is valued but Jesus is ignored, we few, we the church, we her leaders and prophets in all our weaknesses (2 Cor 4:7) lean upon the infilling of His presence and choose to cross the line, to enter the battle against all odds for the sake of the Call (Matt 28:16).

It has never been about us, about our comfort or about our glory, but it is about Him, His call and His mission. We have only just begun to discover all he has for us, all he calls for us to do, to be. Brothers and sisters, fellow warriors in His kingdom, I come home humbled, broken, weeping, excited, dreaming and yearning. My hand remains on the plow, I do not look back, but now my heart burns to push harder (Luke 9:62).

See you in the fields.

P. Bruce
NAC