Monday, July 8

Amos 7:14-15
Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
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One of the consistent characteristics of those called by God as servants is that none of them see themselves as worthy or well-equipped for the task.  In high powered corporations, when there is a position to fill, a headhunting firm is often hired to weed through resumes and work histories in order to tap the one most qualified, the most likely to succeed.  From ancient herdsmen
to Galilean fishermen we know that God tends to call the least likely. And our response to God's call often amounts to "Who me?"  At any given time, we may see ourselves as the least likely to serve, the least likely to speak up, the least likely to go and do.  In the echoes of the least likely, we may hear more than our own voice of reluctance.  We may hear a voice that is not our own and yet all together compelling.
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Holy God, may we hear and discern the sound of your voice.  Amen.