The Call to Come Before Being Sent

"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt." - Exodus 3:10 (KJV)

In our fast-paced world, we often rush headlong into action, driven by a sense of urgency or a desire to make a difference. Yet, in the quiet whispers of Scripture, we find a profound truth that challenges our hurried approach to life and ministry: God's call is first and foremost a call to come, not to go.

Consider Moses, standing before the burning bush. God's words to him were not an immediate commission to action, but an invitation to draw near. "Come now," God said, before He spoke of sending. This divine sequence – come, then go – is not merely chronological; it is deeply spiritual, setting the pattern for all true ministry and service.

"God's call is first and foremost a call to come, not to go."

We see this pattern echoed in the New Testament. Mark 3:13-14 tells us, "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach." Notice the order: Jesus called the disciples to be with Him before sending them out. The being with preceded the going forth.

Why is this order so crucial? Because true ministry flows from intimacy with God. It is in His presence that we are shaped, equipped, and empowered. Without this vital connection, our service risks becoming mere activity, devoid of true spiritual power and insight. As Jesus reminded us, "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Coming to God before being sent accomplishes several vital things in us:

1. It aligns our hearts with God's. In His presence, our motives are purified, our vision clarified.
2. It equips us with God's power. Like Moses' rod or Elijah's mantle, we receive spiritual authority not through our own efforts, but through our proximity to God.
3. It fills us with God's message. True ministers speak not merely from knowledge, but from a living encounter with the Divine.
4. It sustains us in the face of challenges. Ministry often leads us into difficult, even hostile environments. It is the strength drawn from intimacy with God that sustains us in these moments.

The temptation to reverse this order is ever-present. We see a need and want to rush to meet it. We feel a burden and want to immediately act on it. But God's way is clear: come before you go. Draw near before you set out. Be filled before you pour out.

This principle extends beyond formal ministry. In every aspect of our lives – our work, our relationships, our daily decisions – we are called to operate from a place of intimacy with God. It is from this wellspring that true wisdom, love, and effectiveness flow.

"True ministry flows not from professional preparation but from a living, daily walk with the Lord."

Dear reader, where do you find yourself today? Are you weary from ceaseless activity, even activity done in God's name? Have you found yourself going through the motions of ministry, preparing sermons and programs without the vital spark of divine inspiration? Are you frustrated by a lack of fruitfulness in your endeavors? Perhaps the answer lies not in doing more, but in coming closer. Hear afresh the gentle call of your Lord: "Come unto me" (Matthew 11:28). It is in answering this call that you will find not only rest for your soul but the true source of effective living and ministry.

This principle challenges many of our contemporary ministry practices. How often do we prepare messages far in advance, relying on our own wisdom rather than the fresh bread of intimate communion with God? True ministry, as our passage reminds us, flows not from professional preparation but from a living, daily walk with the Lord. Like the Shulamite in Song of Solomon who said, "Draw me, we will run after thee" (Song of Solomon 1:4), we must first be drawn to God before we can effectively lead others to Him.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have rushed into action without first drawing near to You. We acknowledge our deep need for Your presence, wisdom, and power. Teach us to prioritize intimacy with You above all else. May all our going forth be a natural overflow of our coming to You. Renew in us a passion for Your presence, that we might be truly effective ambassadors of Your love and truth in this world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." - John 15:4 (KJV)

Based on Wade Taylor's message "The Song of Solomon — Part 5."