"R-r-r-ring; r-r-r-ring; r-r-r-ring!", the phone blares.  "Hello?", you say as you pick up the phone.  "Hello?", says a voice on the other end.  You say, "May I ask who you're calling for?"  "Well, you, of course.", the voice continues, "I'm calling for you.  So glad you answered.  You would not believe how many people never pick up the phone when I call."  "Who is this?", you quickly say.  "Well, this is God of course!"

   Now, I know and so do you that God will not actually verbally speak to us by "calling" us on the phone or otherwise.  But when God calls you there is no denying that He has.

   We are all called to some extent.  Some of us to serve, teach, preach and all are called to witness.  People say about their lives and their careers, "I've got to do my calling.", but what exactly is YOU'RE calling?

   Has God called you?  Is God calling you?  Most importantly, will you answer His call?  Will you let the phone ring and ring and just ignore it?  When that preacher or missionary or Sunday school teacher says, "Maybe there's someone in this room that God is calling." and you feel that slight tug at you're heart, will you ignore it?  Don't ignore God's call and have God give the blessing to someone else.

   I know an old gentleman who felt God calling him to preach when he was younger, but he didn't answer the call.  Sure, he decided he'd drive a Sunday school bus, and eventually he taught a class.  Driving a Sunday school bus and teaching a Sunday school class is great, if that is what God has called you to do.  This man was called to be a preacher, not a Sunday school teacher or a bus driver.  He gave God a little bit of his life; he gave God second best.  He was too selfish to answer the phone, and he regrets to this day that he didn't answer the phone.

   Don't let this be you.  Imagine what God will do if you just answer the call.  Paul was called and look at what God was able to accomplish through him.  Give all of yourself to God, not just a little bit, not second best.

   The phone is ringing, and it's time to pick it up!