The Call: The Pattern

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived

There’s a pattern to the call of God. It’s not a step-by-step formula. You can’t put God in a box. At best, the pattern below is an imperfect model to better understand the call of God.

Exodus 3:10 describes the call of Moses. “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” In that verse (and one other) five key elements form a pattern.

The first component is, “Go.” God told Moses, “So now, go. I am sending you ….” Since to go also means to leave, Moses’ life was never the same again – and yours won’t either.

After “go” comes “To.” God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh. A calling involves going to someone or somewhere. Your calling involves a group of people or a geographic place.

The next element is “Do.” God has work for Moses to do. He is “… to bring my people the Israelites ….” God calls you to use your gifts and abilities to take action.

After that comes “So.”  The assigned work has an outcome aligned with God’s plans. The “so” in Moses’ call was for the Israelites to come out of Egypt. Your call advances God’s plan.

The final piece is “Lo” [I am with you always]. In Exodus 3:12 God promises Moses, “I will be with you.” You don’t undertake your call alone; rather you join God in His work.

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.