The idea of being chosen, being called out, is something we dream about, wrestle with… as people fascinated
by story, we are enamored with the notion of the storyteller, of design, of grand meaning and metanarrative. In the recent science fiction film ”Knowing“, the protagonist is forced to face a reality in which the world is not random, the world is coming to an end, and that some people have been “called out”. I was shocked to realize how resonant the themes were with a biblical portrait of God’s calling (for more on this surprising film, check out the multi-part review at Cinemagogue).

The question is, do we have a place within that story, are we being called to respond, to walk in that, to embrace it? We like this idea, but we subsequently CHAFE at it as being called doesn’t just mean we have a role, purpose, and meaning… it implies there is something we OUGHT to be doing, someone or something that has authority over us. The comfort of “calling” comes with inescapable consequences, and in our autonomy, independence and selfishness we don’t like anyone or anything impinging on our will.

Throughout the scripture of 1 & 2 Peter, the disciple illustrates that God calls his people, that they are His possession, that He directs them to follow Jesus, to bless others, to suffer and rely on His strength, to strive for excellence, and make our calling sure. This theme of being “called” appears seven significant times in Peter’s letters, and we explore the connections they make across scripture and in application to our own lives in the message “Called Out”.

Listen to the message here by clicking the image above, or download it by right-clicking HERE. Choose from other options by visiting the Mars Hill Media Library.