July 17, 2005
07/17 - Sunday In Ireland
Since we left Dublin, we've been travelling all over the country of Ireland - Waterford, Cork, Ring of Kerry, and the city of Galway. We have enjoyed the "40 shades of green" in this lovely country.
As we approach the Croagh of Patrick, the mountain upon which he spent 40 days and 40 nights in the beginning of his ministry in Ireland, I am reminded of the Call that is upon all of us. Look at Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13, Matthew 4:19, Acts 9 ...
400 years after Paul, St. Patrick was called to be a missionary to Ireland. Captured and enslaved during his childhood years, Patrick escaped and came back to the continent. When he became a priest, he asked his Pope if he could do ministry to the pagans of Ireland. In 432 he came to the island and began an inspired ministry that led to the conversion of the entire country in just two generations.
What is this Call? It is the pull of God upon the human heart to respond to His voice. 31 years ago this past week I celebrated ordination into minstry, but the Call of God started when I was just 11 years of age. It's the tug of God on the heart that pulls you in the direction that He wants you to go. It's like the story of the father and son who were flying a kite together. The kite was so high that at times it was lost in the clouds. The son used this moment to ask his father why he believed in God when he could never see God. The father asked his son if he could see the kite that was now lost in the clouds. The son said "No!". The father asked him why he believed in the kite when he couldn't see it. The son responded "Because, I can feel the pull of it on the strings in my hands." "That's it," said the father, "in the same way I can feel the pull of God on the 'strings' of my heart."
Patrick did great things and became a saint in the church. He was called by God to be his humble servant. The exciting good news is that we have all been called by God. Jeremiah 29:11 says "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." May you enjoy serving in the presence of His power and grace.
Posted by roger at July 17, 2005 03:19 AM