We are about to enter the final trimester of the calendar year.  It is also the beginning of the new church year.  The calendar year to this point has been filled with opportunities for ministry and missions service.  The new church year promises yet more ways to act on God’s call to serve in his name. 

There are several ways to respond to the call to be on mission.  We can ignore the call; we can run the other way; we can complain about what we are being challenged to do; we can say, “Here am I, send me!”  

Each of the above-mentioned responses is found at least once in scripture: for example, a rich young ruler ignored the call of Jesus to become a follower; the prophet Jonah ran away from God’s call; Moses whined, on several occasions, about the people he was called to lead and about the expectations of God concerning his leadership; Isaiah heard God’s voice and said, “I’ll do what you need done.” 

Followers of God in Christ have a clear call to impact the world by living, being, announcing and doing the good news.  I hope you are growing in your faith walk with God, first of all.  As that happens, you will see before you people and needs that God has called and equipped you to impact.  These are the specific ways you can make a difference in someone’s life and in circumstances where the love of God is needed. 

Make a difference!  In doing so, you will represent God, be used by him, and honor his holy name.