How can we discern God's calling in our lives, like Amos did? Setting the Scene with Amos 1:1 “The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa—what he saw regarding Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel.” • God singles out a shepherd in rural Tekoa. • He gives Amos specific words (“what he saw”) tied to a real moment in history. • The verse anchors Amos’s calling in place, time, and community—reminding us that divine assignments are never vague abstractions. What Stands Out About Amos’s Calling? • Ordinary background: a shepherd, not a priest or prophet’s son (cf. Amos 7:14–15). • Divine initiative: God speaks first; Amos responds. • Clarity and conviction: Amos “saw” a vision, leaving no doubt whose message it was. • Historical context: God’s call intersected political realities (Uzziah, Jeroboam II). Principles for Discerning God’s Call Today 1. God begins the conversation – Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” – Acts 13:2 “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul…’” 2. God delights in using everyday people – 1 Corinthians 1:27 “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.” – James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours.” 3. The call is rooted in Scripture – Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet.” – Amos’s prophecy unfolds as God’s word, not personal ambition. 4. Timing and context matter – Esther 4:14 “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Like Amos, we listen for how God positions us within current events. 5. Obedience validates the call – John 10:27 “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” – Romans 12:1–2 offers the pattern: surrender, renewal, discernment. Practical Steps to Put These Truths into Action • Abide daily in God’s Word—expect Him to speak through it. • Cultivate a listening heart: silence the noise, create space for stillness. • Invite the Holy Spirit’s witness; He confirms by inner peace and conviction (Colossians 3:15). • Seek confirmation through mature believers—elders, pastors, trusted friends (Proverbs 11:14). • Watch providential doors: circumstances that align with Scripture and godly counsel (Revelation 3:7). • Test motives: is Christ glorified or self-promotion advanced? (2 Corinthians 5:15). • Take the first obedient step; clarity often follows movement, just as Amos spoke and then kept receiving. Encouragement for the Journey God still calls shepherds from Tekoa-type places. If He has placed you, gifted you, and stirred your heart, He will also supply what you need to obey. Listen, trust, and step forward; the same faithful God who spoke to Amos speaks to His people today. |
    |