Often when we think of God’s call we think of God’s call and claim upon individuals. But God’s claim rests upon communities as well. It can be easy to assume that churches are a collection of like-minded individuals who have decided to band together out of common convictions; God calls us individually, so we are part of a church. While few people join churches if they find little they agree with, this does not mean we can assume all members are in agreement about what the priorities and guiding convictions of a congregation should be.
While God does indeed call individuals, God also calls communities to action; we are part of a church, so God calls us to ministry and mission, especially to work that cannot be accomplished by any one individual. Our readings for this week, which help us reflect on the readings for Sunday, January 25, remind us that God’s call is not just to individual prophets and apostles, but to communities. God called Abraham not to be an extraordinary person, but to be the father of the Israelite community. God called all of Israel, not just Jacob, to settle in Egypt. God’s wisdom calls out to whoever will listen, not to singularly gifted individuals. Mark reminds us that Jesus formed a community of twelve disciples that evoke the memory of the twelve tribes of Israel. Paul reminds us of the surprising truth that God is much more likely to call us to remain where we are and as we are as we serve God; radical discipleship is possible even if we don’t sell all we have to become missionaries in the far corners of the world. Acts reminds us that God’s claim is not always obvious – sometimes only time can tell if we are going in the right direction.
What do you think God is calling TCPC to do? How is God claiming us as a community for service?
Monday 1/26
Genesis 12:1-9
I Corinthians 7:17-24
Tuesday 1/27
Genesis 45:25-46:7
Acts 5:33-42
Wednesday 1/28
Proverbs 8:1-21
Mark 3:13-19a
Read Psalm 46 each of these three days
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