Call 3
The life of faith encompasses several events and moments that we journey through multiple times during the course of a lifetime. The devotion below is part of an ongoing series that explores these central themes of Christian doctrine.
“God uses those of us who are flawed, who have weaknesses and God chose YOU because it’s that weakness and brokenness and those mistakes that give you a voice to reach those people who maybe feel like THEY don’t measure up.” - Diane Shirlaw-Ferreira
Many people will tell themselves that because of their sinfulness or because of their past they could never be called to serve God’s mission, but it is often because of our mistakes that God calls to us. Part of receiving redemption means taking what was old and broken and transforming it into something meaningful and life-giving.
Looking through the stories of scripture it is hard to ignore all of the mistakes and flaws present in the people that God chooses to use to accomplish God’s mission. Abraham was too old; Jacob was a liar; Joseph was hated by his brothers; Moses had a stutter; Rahab was a prostitute; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young; David was an adulterer and a murder; Naomi was a widow; Jonah ran away from God; John the Baptist ate bugs; Zacchaeus was too short; Peter denied Jesus three times; and Lazarus was dead!
It seems that God loves a challenge. Our past mistakes are not a deterrent for God’s call, they are part of the very reason God is calling us in the first place.
The life of faith encompasses several events and moments that we journey through multiple times during the course of a lifetime. The devotion below is part of an ongoing series that explores these central themes of Christian doctrine.
“God uses those of us who are flawed, who have weaknesses and God chose YOU because it’s that weakness and brokenness and those mistakes that give you a voice to reach those people who maybe feel like THEY don’t measure up.” - Diane Shirlaw-Ferreira
Many people will tell themselves that because of their sinfulness or because of their past they could never be called to serve God’s mission, but it is often because of our mistakes that God calls to us. Part of receiving redemption means taking what was old and broken and transforming it into something meaningful and life-giving.
Looking through the stories of scripture it is hard to ignore all of the mistakes and flaws present in the people that God chooses to use to accomplish God’s mission. Abraham was too old; Jacob was a liar; Joseph was hated by his brothers; Moses had a stutter; Rahab was a prostitute; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young; David was an adulterer and a murder; Naomi was a widow; Jonah ran away from God; John the Baptist ate bugs; Zacchaeus was too short; Peter denied Jesus three times; and Lazarus was dead!
It seems that God loves a challenge. Our past mistakes are not a deterrent for God’s call, they are part of the very reason God is calling us in the first place.
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2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice ResurrectionTaste - Practice ResurrectionTake a Nap - Practice ResurrectionDonate - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Chronicles - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
June
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