Somebody Needs To Do Something
by David Staal
posted 10/17/2008
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Note: In a 2003 Leadership Journal article titled "God's Calling Plan," Gordon MacDonald wrote: "A call story is a history of 'whispered words and events' that capture the soul and make you aware that God is speaking. For some of us the call-story is dramatic. In one forceful moment, you gain a sense of conviction that God has spoken and directed. You are never again the same after this. For others, like myself, the call is like a continual dripping: it just beats on you until you capitulate. 'Okay. Okay!'"
Before caller ID, I answered every phone call. Until I learned how to use the Outlook preview panel, I clicked on every email message. In my younger days, I even opened every piece of postal mail. Fortunately, technology has come a long way.
Admit it, you and I screen many communications that we receive; after all, we must avoid conversations or information we don't expect or have time to engage. In fact, I'd like my communication to remain conveniently on my terms, thank you. Fortunately, this approach doesn't work 100 percent of the time.
June 1998
On a missions trip a decade ago, I looked up at the stars and heard from God. I didn't expect it. Although not a spoken voice, powerful words filled my mind that used a tone not my own. And I had no choice but to engage what He said. At the conclusion of our conversation my life changed, and I committed to pursue His terms instead of mine: "Wherever You want me to go I'll go. Whatever You want me to do I'll do."
I knew what had to happen next: leave my business career for full-time ministry.
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)
Four months later, I drove to my first day on Willow Creek Community Church's paid staff—where I enthusiastically stayed for ten years. The church's mission is easy to love, as are the people I worked with. The kids who come to Promiseland, the children's ministry I had the privilege to lead, are a blast to serve. Willow Creek's church body and leadership passionately support Promiseland with facilities, budget, and a volunteer team that defies description.
Good thing I didn't screen God's call ten years ago. Of course, it came when I didn't expect it—probably by design.
And an approach that He would repeat.
June 2008
After several hours of sleeplessness, I decided to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag and look at the stars. A day of activities at father-daughter camp in Michigan's upper peninsula hadn't worn me out as much as I thought or hoped. Every 30 minutes or so I woke up and felt the urge to tip-toe through the cabin of sleeping daughters and snoring dads and go outside on the deck. Sure, the air felt chilly. But that meant clear skies and a spectacular star show. So I slowly made my way through the dark toward the door; the only sound coming from creaks in the floor—and my knees.
The night sky sure delivered a sensational display of the cosmos! As I looked up at the stars, I heard a question from God. Not an audible voice or anything weird, just communication that arrived unscreened in my mind: "What ever happened to that guy who, a decade ago, looked up at these same stars and committed to pursue life on My terms? Is he still around?"
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