One reason the Barney Fife character on The Andy Griffith Show is so humorous is because there is never a moment that we do not know how he is feeling. Barney mirrors the whole spectrum of human emotion, and to watch Barney and laugh at him is to recognize ourselves. Similarly, James refers to the Bible as a mirror – as I investigate it I see what is true about me.
When we read through 2 Chronicles we encounter a rundown of the kings of ancient Judah. According to the opening chapter of Matthew’s gospel, this is the royal heritage of Jesus. This lineage also serves as a mirror because as we read about these kings and we can see ourselves. But hopefully we do more than just laugh at it – it should challenge us to learn from history because we are prone to make the same mistakes they did. One component that stands out is the disposition with which a Judean king engaged his calling.
Jehoshaphat is a good example because his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. He is referred to as the one who sought the LORD with all his heart. He was not without flaws though – he had to be admonished by a prophet. But the outcome of his calling in which he pursued God with all his heart was joy and peace. This benefited the people he governed. He knew his limitations and dependence, and when he did not know what to do, his first resort was worship.
Joash – Jehoshaphat’s great-grandson – began his reign at only seven years old. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. But when the one for whom he performed left the scene, then his performance changed to please others, namely, his peers. The result? Joash became treacherous in his calling and they abandoned the house of the LORD. Amaziah, his son, did what was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart. Amaziah’s reign ended in defeat. His son, Uzziah, ascended to the throne at the age of sixteen. He was a good king and accomplished great things. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. Uzziah’s pride rendered him unfaithful and ineffective in the latter part of his reign.
Serving God through your calling half-heartedly is like being double-minded. The sovereign God of the universe becomes just another object of trust or appeasement. That is not fitting.
We are not earthly kings, but we each have a calling. As members of a royal priesthood, we serve God. If I pursue my calling with pride, or half-heartedly, or just to please others I will eventually find myself feeling purposeless and ineffective prone to pursue a substitute. I may also find myself facing God’s severe mercy. On the other hand, if I engage my calling with a whole-hearted pursuit of God it will result in joy and peace that will overflow to the people in my world.
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”
~Titus 3:8
As each of us is called to ministry, let’s be All In! to serve together for the glory of God, and for the good of the church and those who surround us. “Identify Your Ministry” (Sunday Night Seminary) is designed to help you discover how, where, and to whom God’s Spirit has equipped and called you to serve. Come, be part of the conversation starting this Sunday night.
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