2026 October NL: Pastor’s Desk

The calling our Lord gives us isn’t to judge, but to reel in those whom our Lord is calling. Our own efforts cannot move our spirits to Christ. It is a gift God gives us, and He can use us to help in this work. Our Lord could make fish fly into boats and nets, birds fall from the sky to fill a camp, and hearts be drawn to Him. The power of His calling is the salvation promise it brings, but because of sin, our hearts can be deceived and hardened, resisting God’s movement. For this reason, He has called us, as His followers, to carry the Gospel to others and help the Holy Spirit move into their hearts. God doesn’t need our help, but He uses us as His chosen to share. For this reason, we are responsible for being in the Word and prepared to proclaim His glory in all aspects of our lives.

Much like ambassadors sent from their home nations to represent their leaders and people, so it is for us as followers of Christ. Our lives are meant to reflect our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of this, we may represent Him well or poorly by how we live. That said, we don’t need a perfect life to proclaim Christ. We truly cannot live perfectly, and often, in our openness to our imperfections, we can be a greater witness to God’s mercy and grace. We are also not excused to continue to sin because we are imperfect. To willfully sin is a prideful and arrogant action that is a further sign of rebellion against God and does not show love or obedience to God. In our faith, we are called to walk in humility, just as a fish that has been caught has no power once brought in but is at the mercy of the person who has caught it; so are we, as our Lord captures our hearts, and we submit humbly to Him. The mark we receive from our Lord is not something we have placed on ourselves, but something God has placed on us as He has marked us as His own. We live in this reality, and our Lord’s love is given to help us in our callings to live freely in His glorious mercy and grace.