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Missions

When God Calls Don't Hang Up

I think I knew even back then that the Lord had more for my life than a salvation experience. But at age 16, a "call" was only what I awaited anxiously for by my telephone—a giggly girlfriend to gossip with or a bashful young man requesting the pleasure of my company—NOT the still small voice of God expressing His desire for a private line between Him and me with no interruptions or static.

My life went on, in and out of service to God, until a husband and three children later, the Lord finally got through the many busy signals and revealed His plan for us in ministry. My husband answered immediately, but I was so afraid of what I thought God was going to say I wouldn't answer His call. So by listening in on the "party line" and picking up only pieces of the conversation, I felt God was wanting to send us to the mission field.

"NO," I cried without even talking to God. No grass huts, diseases, bugs, or anything else like that for my children! I was miserable. For weeks I heard that spiritual "ringing" in my ears and got no rest. Finally, in exasperation and weariness, I picked up the receiver and said, "OK, God. I'm listening and willing to do Your bidding. If You want me to go, You will have to put the burden in my heart, because it's not there." "Trust Me," is all that He said. A wonderful, quiet peace came to my soul. The next day my husband shared with me his call for pastoral ministry. My eavesdropping on another line had caused me unnecessary stress!

Not until we became pastors several years later did this experience become real to me. Every year our district Women's Ministries Department hosts a wonderful Christmas party for the home missionary families in each section of our district. We were invited to attend as guests and that call from God came ringing through loud and clear as the missionary guests were asked to introduce themselves. The moment my family and I stood it dawned on me that I was a missionary. God had given me such a love and burden for our ministry I didn't even realize it was a mission field.

Proverbs 3:5,6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." I will never again hesitate to answer when I know God is calling. I will trust Him with whatever He has for me on the other end of the line. When God calls—don't hang up!