She descended down the back door trolley steps, all two feet tall of her, approximately four years old, wavy deep brown hair held together by a lemon yellow scrunchie, holding her mother’s hand tightly and announcing their route home. I was but a few feet behind the mother and daughter pair when I stopped abruptly because the little one stopped abruptly. She turned and with great joy welling up from her entire being looked in the direction she heard a familiar warm weather sound- the ice cream truck. Her entre being was glowing and her hands clapped with praise as she saw the truck and exclaimed “Ice cream is so good”. Her mother, I, and few other onlookers laughed and smiled at her delight and her proclaimed truth.
As I walked past the two, leaving them in awe of one of the sweetest sounds of summer I wondered, what if we responded to God calling us like that? What if we stopped right where we were, turned in the direction we sensed Him beckoning us, searched expectantly to really see and hear him, and our entire beings were filled with joy. Joy that He called us.
I don’t know about you, but I can fill up like a complete Jonah. For my Sunday school and vacation bible school attendees, you know the story. God calls Jonah to go to one city and tell them He’s gonna deal with them because of their lack of do right. Jonah says nah and books it to another city. God wasn’t impressed with Jonah’s plan, sends a storm, Jonah is thrown over board by his boat mates, and kicks it in the gut of a big fish for three days until the fish’s acid reflux spews him onto a beach and Jonah then, still a bit begrudgingly, does what God called Him to do. For my non Sunday school, vacation Bible school, attendees, that is the gist of the life of Jonah. But if you are curious feel free to read all about this fishy dude here. It’s truly a quick read.
I don’t regularly respond to God’s call with excitement, anticipation, joy, or expectation. I can be a bit more like oh no, not that voice again, I don’t think He means me. If I am curious I may respond with lots of caution, and lots of what if’s, how abouts, remember last times, and are you truly sure that I’m the one, that I’m qualified, that I’m equipped, that I’m ready, that you are calling me to do _____________?
Here’s what I know for sure, even when circumstances try to suggest otherwise, we can totally answer God’s call to us with joy, hopeful anticipation, excitement, and awe. We can stop abruptly, turn in the direction we know He is speaking because He is good. Just like ice cream, but way better, no lactose, no ridiculous calories to be mindful of, and no melting. We can respond knowing that He can be trusted and that as we draw closer to Him, He draws closer to us. As we stop and surrender, we can count on and experience that what He has to offer us through calling is truly for our good.
I know, I know. We were already going in what seemed like a good direction. We already have a good job with good benefits and a good salary. We already live in a good home with a good commute to the office and in a good school district. We already have a good relationship with our parents who live five glorious states away and we see each year at Christmas for exactly 48 good hours. We have a good significant other and it’s been a good three years and we are in a good place to maybe move towards marriage but if not we’re still good for whenever that may happen. Why in the world would we about face from good? Because His call will always be what is most good. Read that again.
The job with a lower salary and not the job title you were hoping- good. The necessary break up because as good as the relationship is you know you want to marry and have children and they don’t (even after three good years together you haven’t changed their mind)- good. The moving five states over to live and work 15 minutes from your parents who are struggling a bit with mobility issues these days- good. The home whose property taxes sky rocketed because of gentrification and you need to move- good.
His call is always for your most good.
My hope for you this week is that when you hear Him calling you that you will be exactly like that little girl. That you will stop, turn towards Him, and be completely filled with joy, excitement, and expectation. That you will revel in knowing He knows you, has a plan for you, and He has called you because He has fully equipped, qualified, and deemed you worthy of that call. May you remember He is good and He is always about your most good.
With Love,
Grit + Grace