One day I was out walking, trying to sort out in my mind just what God wanted for me. I had long felt a sense of vocation but had just been turned down again by my Director of Ordinands.
Sensing the call is one thing and is quite the easy part; trying to discern it is quite another thing altogether. And so, here I was, walking along and trying to make sense of my inner turmoil.
As I rounded a bend in the road I noticed in front of me a field full of sheep. Then I noticed that the fence keeping the sheep in the field was broken down in the corner of the field nearest to me and the sheep could easily get out and wander off.
My first thought was, I ought to do something about that, then I thought,, no – it’s not my problem, don’t get involved.
Instantly, it was as though I’d been chided, and a voice I couldn’t hear spoke to me and said, "I’m making it your problem. My sheep are straying and I want you to bring them back."
In a way, this just added to my confusion. It was perfectly obvious to me that this was Our Lord speaking to me and that he wasn’t talking about these sheep in front of me. But how could I carry out this vocation as a layman. That is something I have struggled with over the years since this incident.
I finally came to the conclusion that I needed to start a website in which to reiterate the truth given to the apostles and so (God willing) bring back to the fold those Christians who have drifted away, forgotten the eternal truths and no longer believe what we’ve always believed: mainly that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and rose again on the third day. These are not some ephemeral beliefs that can be tossed aside as no longer viable.
Unless these Christians abandon their liberal heresies they are doomed to eternal punishment.
My sheep are straying – come back to me and be forgiven.
This post was submitted by Douglas Hippo.
Douglas,
Thank you for sharing your message and how God has influenced you.
God bless,
Stu
Douglas -
“Sensing the call is one thing and is quite the easy part; trying to discern it is quite another thing altogether. ”
Oh, how I understand that statement! I have had a calling all my life and everytime I try to fulfill it, I get the unbreakable brick wall in front of me! I keep on trying though, eventually I’ll get through.
Good for you for coming up with a way to get around that brick wall!
Thank you to both Stu and Valerie for you comments. It’s always good to know your efforts are appreciated. God bless you both and, Valerie, may He lead you along the path he has marked out for you – be patient and trust
Douglas..