Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/70

Contributor - C.P. Turkstra

Title - God's Call

Topic - Youth

"For to this you have been called . . . that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2 : 21

I am asked, and along with me, each one of you, to respond personally to this call. My decision is of vital importance. Shall I respond by blinding my eyes to its uncomfortably direct challenge? Some have done so. They accept Christ',s call to be His as an invitation to blanket their fears and doubts concerning themselves and their relationship to the world about them. Unable to accept maturely the disturbing social and personal realities that have become inconveniently manifest, they shrug off their responsibilities to themselves and to others upon God. They shrink from the taxing and often painful struggle for societal and self-improvement and submerge blissfully, accompanied by the soothing drone of organ music and a minister's words of comfort, into the blessed relief of justified complacency. Unquestionably, the tastes of many searching for a meaningful and rich spiritual experience have been soured by observing those who use their faith to escape from life into God.

Or shall I join the swelling ranks of the self-righteous? They fervently claim to have a relationship with God and yet rarely, if ever, do they venture from their carefully delineated pattern of life in order to 'follow in His steps'. Their protestations of love and praise are maudlin and sporadic and their endeavours to actualize the life they profess, half-hearted and fragmentary. Little wonder so many view these 'Christians' with contempt and doubt not only the authenticity of their relationship to God, but also the authenticity of God Himself. Although these responses are obviously detrimental to my own spiritual welfare and more importantly, to the spiritual welfare of another, it would be futile to deny that I was many times readily identifiable with either one or the other 'Christian' role.

Then, how should I respond: Simply, by looking to the Author of the call. Christ is not an exacting tyrant 'Who delights in my cringing subservience in order that He might realize some incomprehensible divine 'plan' through me. His interest is not in the absorption of my individuality, but in it's enhancement. 'He who loses his life for my sake will find it' (Matt, 10 - 39). Before I surrendered myself to Christ, I was scarred by explosions of hatred, terror, doubt and anger within myself. I turned to my Lord with empty hands and despair in my heart. It was at that moment He Overwhelmed my life with a joy and a peace that was deeply satisfying. I had found Life, A new and more meaningful dimension to the words,',dignity' 'integrity ' self-worth' bad been added. No longer did my perspective focus completely and narrowly upon myself, but turned outwards under the impulse of the Holy Spirit to include others. In His presence I am given the strength to accept what was previously unacceptable, to surmount what was previously insurmountable, to bear what was previously intolerable, and to realize what was previously hopeless.

Christ came to the world in order that each of us,, 'may have life and have it abundantly' (John 10:10). But in order to have this abundant life and to grow. in the richness and beauty of its experience, we must offer ourselves thoughtfully and devotedly to Him. What could' be more of a natural response to the awesome love and power of God, to the One who gave us our lives, -than to obediently 'follow in His footsteps'?

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