Called by the King

If God's calling you—if you feel stirred to use your gifts for His glory—then you're truly blessed. But here's the rub: there's always a cost. And it's that cost that stops so many from stepping into the one thing that would bring true lasting fulfilment. David Livingstone believed that God called him to Africa as a missionary, explorer, and abolitionist. His primary goal was to bring the Gospel to unreached people. But as he witnessed the brutality of the slave trade firsthand, he came to see exploration as the way to open Africa to Christianity and legitimate commerce, hoping to end slavery. For Livingstone, exploration was never about fame—it was obedience to God's call to serve, heal, and liberate. Inevitably, when God calls you into something, it's going to be a tough road. He called Isaiah to be a prophet to Israel, who'd strayed far from their God. The man had to pronounce God's judgment over them. How popular do you think that made him? And yet, Isaiah recalls back when he was praying in the Temple … Isaiah 6:8  I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Who can I send? Who will go for us?" So I said, "Here I am. Send me!" What calling has God placed on your life? Has counting the cost perhaps stopped you from saying, "Here I am. Send me?" Livingston, after everything he'd been through, observed: "If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honour, how can a commission by a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice?" So I said, "Here I am. Send me!" That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.