In the lesson from Mark today, we hear how God called people into his service.  It happened like this:  As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw fishermen and he called Simon and Andrew and James and John to follow him.  He said “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of people.”

Do you ever wonder how God calls people these days to him?  After all, Jesus doesn’t live here on earth anymore, so it is not like he can walk down Chestnut Street here in Camp Hill and say “Come follow me!”  So how DO we hear God’s voice these days? 

I think ONE way he calls people into His service is to use OUR voices, US.  It is like God is using our voice to call others into His Service.

Consider the following:

Mr. Mawakasunga, Elizabeth’s father, is looking for some volunteers for the Homeless Shelter in Harrisburg.  He has a whole list of names to call to find some people who could stay all night at the shelter to help when the homeless people come to sleep there at night.

The first name on his list is Floyd Heffelfinger!  That is Uncle Floyd.  So, here is Mr. Mawakasunga and here is Uncle Floyd, each in their own home.  This is kind of like a “split screen”.

“Hello Floyd.  This is Harold Mawakasunga.  Do you have a minute to talk?”

“I recon it’s good to hear from you Harold.  How are you?”

Mr. Mawakasunga explained how the Homeless Shelter needs volunteers to stay from 9:00pm until 7:00am. 

Uncle Floyd said “I would really like to help you, but my greater responsibility just now is being here at home with Barabas.  And my job as sexton at the church starts at 6:00am, so I reckon I’ll have to pass at this time.”

Mr. Mawakasunga called the next person on his list.  It was Mr. Gym Teacher.  He explained the program to Mr. Gym.  Mr. Gym said “You know, that sounds like a great program, but THIS time of year is when I’m very busy coaching basketball for our young people.  Maybe next time.”

Now, because these two people said “Not now,” does not mean they did not listen to the call of God.  I think it means that God has called them to other things just now, because, you see, it IS important for Uncle Floyd to be home with Barabas and for Mr. Gym Teacher to coach basketball for the young people.  But in the next phone call, I think maybe God IS using Mr. Mawakasunga’s voice to call a person into His Service.

“Mr. Konde, this is Harold Mawakasunga.  Do you have a minute to talk?”  And Mr. Konde said “Yes sir, I do.  What’s up?”  Mr. Mawakasunga explained how the shelter needs four volunteers to stay overnight to be of assistance to the homeless men and women who need a warm place to sleep.

At first Mr. Konde thought to himself “Oh dear.  I don’t need to get tangled up in this project.  I have enough to keep me busy here.  But something, I’m not sure just what, maybe it was the Holy Spirit, made Mr. Konde reconsider the invitation to help.  He thought to himself “I COULD ask if Sam could stay overnight with Barabas.  And because I usually work the night shift at the Post Office, I’m already used to being awake overnight.  And THAT night I am off work.”

And so it came to pass that Mr. Konde said “YES, I WILL DO THAT.”  Mr. Konde made arrangements for Sam to sleep over at the Heffelfinger’s house and he went to the Harrisburg church to be a host overnight at the Shelter.  And it was a good thing he did.  He helped the homeless men and women get a sleeping pad and a blanket.  He turned the lights down low and made sure it was warm enough.  He and the other three volunteers played Pinochle!  And the other three volunteers slept a little because Mr. Konde could stay awake all night, because he is used to working all night at the Post Office. 

Mr. Konde felt really good that he had helped the homeless, but more important than feeling good, Mr. Konde answered the call to be in God’s Service. 

I would say that God used Mr. Mawakasunga’s voice to call Mr. Konde.  Maybe, some day, God will use YOUR voice to call someone into His Service.     THE END

Printer friendly copy of this story