SET APART FROM THE WOMB
15 But when God, who had chosen me and SET ME APART BEFORE I WAS BORN, and called me through His grace, was pleased [Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5]
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles [as the good news—the way of salvation], I did not immediately consult with anyone [for guidance regarding God’s call and His revelation to me].
17 Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia and stayed awhile, and afterwards returned once more to Damascus.”
Galatians 1:15-17 (Amp.)
Whoever God has called into ministry work or given any specific assignment does not need to be going about, and be sampling people’s opinion about it.
Paul said he did not consult with anyone for guidance regarding God’s call on his life and God’s revelation to Him.
Correct response to God’s call, revelation, instruction, or whatever is prompt obedience.
Some have been called by God but they refused to answer the call, because they went for counsel, and those who counselled them, did wrongly; they were not counselled in line with God’s Word.
You do not need a counsel that would not encourage you to do God’s will.
Counsel is good, because the Scripture says: " . . . IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELORS THERE IS SAFETY” (Proverbs 11:14).
Counsel could be received from those you honour and revere. However, any counsel you are receiving should subscribe to God’s will and plan for your life.
Whatever counsel that will not encourage you to do God’s will should not be taken or considered.
The call of God on your life is given by God, and the call would have been on your life even before you were born: “LISTEN, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! THE LORD HAS CALLED ME FROM THE WOMB; FROM THE MATRIX OF MY MOTHER HE HAS MADE MENTION OF MY NAME" (Isaiah 49:1 NKJV).
READ: Jeremiah 1:5
Laying on of hands and prayer by men could be considered a mere attestation to what God has ordained or predetermined. An example to this is found in the Book of Acts:
2 AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD AND FASTED, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, “NOW SEPARATE TO ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM.” 3 THEN, HAVING FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY" (Acts 13:2,3 NKJV).
Having received a call into ministry, some want their relatives, friends and acquaintances, to attest to their calling.
If you want everybody you know to agree and attest to the call of God on your life, you may not answer the call.
A number of people you know may not attest to the call of God on your life, except few of them, even the people of your household may not:
3 HIS [Jesus'] BROTHERS THEREFORE SAID TO HIM, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 "For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 FOR EVEN HIS BROTHERS DID NOT BELIEVE IN HIM" (John 7:3-5 NKJV).
“BUT JESUS SAID TO THEM, “A PROPHET IS NOT WITHOUT HONOUR EXCEPT IN HIS OWN COUNTRY, AMONG HIS OWN RELATIVES, AND IN HIS OWN HOUSE ️.”
Mark 6:4 (NKJV)
Paul said when he received the call he did not confer with flesh and blood, that is, he did not consult with any human being.
When you receive God’s call on your life, the first approach is to go before God and tell Him you have accepted the call. Then you stay with Him in prayer to know how He wants you to go by it—how He wants you to do it.
Prompt obedience is needed, because delayed obedience is tantamount to disobedience.
God is a military, He rules by decree; hence every instruction is a command and should not be subjected to deliberation. You would have to answer and obey promptly.
If I may ask:
• What are you doing about what God has told you to do?
Many claim they received a vision from the Lord, yet after several months and years, the vision is still in the pipeline.
• Now, another question is; When will the vision be out of the pipeline?
I would like to enjoin you If you are truly called and you are sure of it; take a step now, stop procrastinating, and make something out of it.
Your inability to take a step on your vision, God’s call on your life, is a sign of being crippled or disabled.
Arise now and take a step, your set time has come (Psalm 102:13).
You will not fail but fulfil in Jesus’ name. Peace!