Regain the Prophetic Call

Regain the Prophetic Call by Charles Simpson, October, 2008

This article has unusual clarity (usual for prophets, I guess!) and brings unusually clear focus to following Christ in our day and moment. It resonates with Bob Sorge’s book on Job, and Greg McNutt’s recent word to the CCF men.

I share these few paragraphs here, and I’ve ordered newsletters for each one of you who asks me.

“In August, I made a three-week trip through the Midwest all the way to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and many states in between them and Alabama. Driving and fellowshipping gave me a fresh perspective. I was able to sit with and talk with a very diverse group of people – some wealthy, some intellectual, and some seemingly at the very bottom of society. Some were pastors, some were business people, and some were struggling with various desperate needs.

I also read several books: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom; Always by My Side by Jim Nantz; Letters from Dad by Greg Vaughn; In His Steps by Charles Sheldon; and Prophetic Untimeliness by Os Guinness. In addition, I have read and reread Isaiah 58-61, Luke 4, and the Book of James. I am more convinced than ever that Armenians need to read the book of Romans and Calvinists need to read the book of James.

I wish that I could give a synopsis of each book and my travel experience, but I cannot do that here. However, I came away with two deep desires’ first, to minister to those who understand that they need help – the spiritually hungry. Second, to pass on Truth to the next generation. Here are some conclusions that I want to honestly share with you:

• I am not where I want to be spiritually; I must regain focus.
• I cannot do everything that I want to do, but I can do something if I can focus.
• I cannot ignore the needs that Jesus addressed and still be a follower of Him.
• Doing religion as usual is futile.
• If the world is to glorify God, we must go “out there” (see Matthew 5:13-16).
• The world is in significant transition; it is time for serious prayer and action.
• If I am to be prophetic, I must see and address the future correctly and act accordingly. I need the anointing of His Spirit to do that.
• I must be willing to bear the pain of seeing what I cannot personally change.

These are personal issues that continue to be at work, right now, in me.”

These are personal issues that continue to be at work, right now, in me. How about you?

-=db=-