“This morning,” Stan began, “I was journaling about the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica. I think I saw something that is important for my continuing walk with God.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“The past versus the present,” Stan responded.
“Past versus present? What do you mean by that?” I replied.
“Again,” Stan said, “in Paul’s choice of using one word over another. He used ‘calls’ rather than ‘called’ when he was writing about God’s kingdom and glory. The present tense, versus the past tense.”
Continuing, he said, “To me, the significance of this is that God continually calls me into His kingdom and glory. It is not a one-time thing, as in He ‘called’.”
“No,” he said, “I think that once I answered His call to accept the finished work of Christ on the cross, which was a one-shot decision that granted me the assurance of spending eternity with God for when my time here is done, there is a calling that will continue for as long as I am on this side of eternity.”
“A calling for what?” I asked.
“To be who and to do what God has for me while He keeps me here,” Stan replied.
“As in,” I responded, “not just sitting around waiting for the train to glory when there is a person to be and there are things to do before it is time to get on the train.”
“Exactly, my friend,” Stan replied. “Exactly! I will be continually called by God. It is my responsibility to answer the call, not just let it go to voicemail!”
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Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for calling me to accept the finished work of Christ on the cross that gave me the assurance of life eternally with you when my time here is completed. Thank you, too, that you call me to be who and to do what you intend for the time I have remaining on this side of eternity. I confess that too often I do not answer and respond to that calling as you intend. Please forgive me. And please, Lord, help me to hear, answer, and respond to everything you have for me to be and to do while you keep me here for your purposes. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 