Oftentimes when the Lord wants to bring something to my attention, I will hear the Spirit say a word.  The Lord knows that words pique my interest.  I will go right into research mode and start looking at definitions, uses in context, phrases…OK google! Recently I was writing for my blog Kelbey Chronicles and I came across this phrase: call and response.  In that particular context, the phrase was referencing a military cadence and how call and response is used to keep soldiers moving in harmony and alignment.  That really spoke to me.  But don’t you know there are still other contexts in which the phrase can be used.  Just like words…you have to look at the context. So here is what I heard the Spirit say:

“Your calling in the Kingdom is not what differentiates you, it is your obedience.”

Hmmmm? Call and Response.

So its not necessarily ALL about your calling, whatever that may be.  It’s really ALL about your obedience to what you are called to do.  It is easy to get caught up in comparisons of callings and gifts, thinking one outranks another, but I would like to submit the idea that the true separating factor is obedience.  Obedience is what separates disciples from religious observants.  So if you are called to teach, respond with obedience.  If you are called to sing, respond with obedience. If you are called to mother and nurture, respond with obedience. If you are called to feed the hungry, then respond with obedience. If you are called to the marketplace, then respond with obedience. We are ALL called to minister the Gospel, so wherever your calling takes you, respond with obedience.

We, as believers, have the supreme example of call and response: Jesus.

Hebrews 3: 1 “ So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.” Message Bible

When Jesus walked the earth, he did so as a man with a mission.  He walked in obedience to what Father God had given him to do.  I think sometimes we forget that.  We want to believe that he wasn’t like us but that is not what scripture teaches.  He is a faithful high priest that came as a suffering servant to redeem us to eternal communion and fellowship with Father God. (Hebrews 2:14,18 5:7-9).  While on the earth, he experienced humanity the way we do so that He could understand us. Yet He was able through the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience to the Father.  With God all things are possible to Him that believes. ( Mark 9:23). Even Jesus had to believe and trust the promises of Father God. ( Hebrews 2:13).

So as we hear the call of the Spirit let us respond like our example, Jesus.   In whatever we endeavor to do let us do it heartily as unto the Lord.  Let our response be one that pleases the Father because we believe.  We believe that He speaks, we believe that He leads, we believe that He guides, we believe that He provides so we respond.