December 11 Advent Devotional
“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife…;” – Matthew 1:24
The ‘angel of the Lord’ spoke to Joseph about Mary, to whom he was engaged, and pregnant with a child.
Everyone dreams in their sleep. Some of us ‘day dream.’ During my childhood, an uncle, who preached, disclosed to his congregation…’An angel appeared to me saying God called me to preach.’ How might I respond if an ‘angel of the Lord’ appeared to tell me God called me to preach? That image left an indelible impression in my young mind. I have a close relationship with God today because I intentionally seek God, regularly.
I felt that God might be calling me to ministry (“preaching?”) after I graduated from college. Honestly, I do not know how I would have responded had an angel visited me. I prayed & looked for evidence that God wanted me to minister to other people, to ‘be present with a person.’ I felt reluctant at times, however, I followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit and believe I was gifted with tools to counsel and care for persons needing a word from the Lord.
I believe Joseph had a close relationship with God and, as such, followed the direction of the ‘angel of the Lord.’ I accepted my call to ministry. How might you respond to a call to
ministry from an ‘angel of the Lord’ or a ‘feeling’ that you are called to ministry?
Merciful God, help me move past the noise of everyday life until I recognize your voice and complete the task you called me to do!
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