Mark 3:13-15. Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.
The most important reason for God’s calling is not the tasks He assigns, but the relationship He desires. He did not call us primarily to give us work to do. He called us because He wanted to be with us.
From the beginning, God’s purpose has been to restore our broken fellowship with Him. He wants us to delight in His presence—the only true answer to every problem in life. He desires that we experience His power, His peace, and His joy in a way that transforms our entire being.
It is only after we have been with Him that He sends us out to do His work—preaching the good news, healing the brokenhearted, and driving out the darkness. Without first knowing and enjoying His presence, all our ministry efforts, no matter how impressive, will be empty and powerless.
Thus, do not rush to fill your life with activity. Do not measure your calling by how much you do. Learn to be with God first. Sit at His feet like Mary did (Luke 10:39). Listen to Him. Obey what He says. In doing so, you will find that His presence equips you far more than any human preparation could.
Only then will everything you do have eternal value. As Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
When Jesus first called His disciples, His invitation was simple yet profound: “Come, follow Me.” Their first task was not to preach or perform miracles—it was to walk with Him. Only after that did He reveal the purpose: “I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19).
Even after His resurrection, as He prepared to ascend into heaven, Jesus gave His disciples this unshakable promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This is not a vague encouragement—it is the ongoing reality of the risen Christ with His evangelists today.
Jesus does not promise to be with us in some distant, abstract way. He offers a personal, intimate presence in every area of life: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20).
King David understood this truth well. He declared, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). David’s assurance did not rest on “the green pastures” or “the quiet waters.” It was not grounded in finding “the right paths” or in the absence of enemies. His peace came from one thing—his Shepherd was with him. That was enough, because in God is everything.
Today, will you seek the greatest blessing—the presence of God Himself? Let His kingdom be your first priority, your deepest joy, and your greatest treasure.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for being with me in every area of my life. Teach me to follow You closely and to obey without hesitation. May Your presence be evident in my thoughts, my words, my actions, and in every meeting I have today. Let my life be rooted in You, so that all I do may bear fruit that lasts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.