The clean animals, the unclean animals, the birds, and everything that crawls on the ground came to Noah. They went into the boat in groups of two, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. (Genesis 7:8-9)

The animals entered the ark two by two. And while we as humans were created for biblical community, we’re called one by one. God extends the invitation for each of us to fulfill our personal calling and purpose for him. We choose how to respond.

Noah was called to build the ark: When God saw that everyone on the earth did only evil, he said to Noah, “Because people have made the earth full of violence, I will destroy all of them from the earth. (Genesis 6:12-13)

Nehemiah was called to rebuild Jerusalem: First I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered the king, “If you are willing and if I have pleased you, send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so I can rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:4-5)

Then Mordecai sent back word to Esther: “Just because you live in the king’s palace, don’t think that out of all the Jewish people you alone will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, someone else will help and save the Jewish people, but you and your father’s family will all die. And who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this.” (Esther 4:13-14)

Moses, Abraham, David, Solomon, Ruth, Peter, Paul, Cornelius, Mary, Joseph. The list goes on. And you’re name is in that list. You are being called to be a part of God’s kingdom. You have a purpose. Will you accept it? You’re the only one who can respond, positively or negatively.

Which will you choose?

We have the big picture view of many people in God’s Word. God weaves men and women’s lives together in a way that makes sense to us. We are taught lessons through their lives, because we see the woven patterns of their lives. In contrast, we can easily get lost in the details of our own lives. God hasn’t pulled out the focused highlights to synopsize the purpose of each of our lives – for our own benefit and the others who will learn from our lives. The snapshots of our lives aren’t neat and tidy – at least not to us.

I picture the animals walking toward the ark. It’s a scene that seems to invite chaos. I don’t understand how two and only two of every single kind of animal gathered in one place, walked onto a large boat, and didn’t cause a warring menagerie. I don’t understand, but I know it could only be God’s guidance.

Our lives potentially look as chaotic even though we’re only called by ones. A bunch of individuals coming from every direction and background with a variety of languages, skills, talents, baggage, and personalities seems to create a mess, but it’s only because we view our callings and response to our callings from our limited perspectives. God sees it all very differently.

It’s not your responsibility to understand God’s purpose for you. It’s your responsibility to respond to God’s calling for you.

God’s calling might be specific, but don’t expect it to be. God does not fit into the box of your expectations. He might give you a glimpse of his plan but not the details. He might give you the detail of one step but not the long-range vision. Faith requires a willingness to be obedient without complete understanding.

God’s calling is for you and you alone. Your response is yours and yours alone. What will your response be? No Sunday School answers allowed. What is your day-to-day behavior saying about your response? Are you being day-to-day obedient?

God is calling you today. Respond wisely in faith.