How Does The Call of Ministry Come?

Genesis 6

The call into the ministry can come in various ways.  It depends on how God chooses to reveal His mind to an individual.  One of the ways a call came can be found in Genesis 6.

          As man began to multiply on the earth, people married and were given in marriage.  Men saw how beautiful the women were and married whomever they wanted to (verses 1-2). There are those who say that the “sons of God” mentioned in verse 2 were fallen angels. Either way, this was not very pleasing to God (verses 3-4).

          As man’s wickedness spread and increased in the earth, giants were born and man’s thoughts were continually wicked.  Of course, God saw this and it displeased Him that He had made man on the earth. It grieved Him at His heart (verses 5-6).  He decided to do something about it.  He was going to destroy “man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them” (verse 7).

The Call of Noah

          Noah found grace in the eyes of God (verse 8). He was a just man and walked with God (verse 9).  But, the earth was still corrupt and filled with violence (verse 11).  This sounds like the times that we are living in now.  Violence has overtaken some neighborhoods, cities and even countries. Be assured: this grieves God tremendously. He hears your cry. 

          God looked at the earth and saw that it was corrupt because all flesh had corrupted itself on the earth (verse 12).  He developed a plan to deal with the earth. Not only did He develop a plan, He also chose to reveal His plans to the one just man left on the earth – Noah.

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth (verse 13).

          After God revealed His plan to Noah, He gave Noah specific instructions on what to do. In other words, He called Noah into the ministry.  First the problem. Second, the solution. Third, the call of a man to bring God’s solution to pass. Wow! God is something else.

          Verses 14-21 show how He revealed specific instructions and plans to Noah. Verse 22 shows us Noah’s response to God’s call: Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.  He was obedient to the call.

          Are you obedient to God’s call?  Has He revealed to you the solution of a problem – big or small?  Has He shown you how to solve 1, 2 or even more, problems in your neighborhood, your city, your state?  Have you answered the call of ministry?  Know this, if God has laid the solution to a problem on your heart, if He has arranged your thoughts with ideas then, answer the call. Have the courage to step forth and begin to act on those thoughts and ideas.  Know that you are not alone.  He is with you and has equipped you to carry out His plans.  Whom He calls, He also equips. 

As you began to carry out His plans for your neighborhood, your city, your state, etc, the Holy Spirit is with you, revealing God’s mind and will to you.  Increase your prayer and word time.  Spend additional time in His presence worshipping and praising Him.  Let His creativity flow through you as you fulfill the ministry He has called you to.

Not everyone is called to a pulpit ministry.  Some are and some are not.  Some are called to a supportive ministry, a ministry of helps.  Some are called to be a business owner, a politician, a police officer, fireman, engineer, etc.  Whatever ministry God has called you to, be prayerful and full of His wisdom. And always…give Him the glory.