Transform the Word

Like many of you, I constantly receive calls from random numbers on my phone. Some are from my local area, others seem to be coming from halfway across the world. And, like most people, I usually hit the red button and decline the call without a second thought.

But recently, things have changed. I’ve been applying for jobs and giving out my phone number to employers. Now, when my phone rings, I hesitate—because this call could be the one that changes everything for my family and our future.

That got me thinking on a deeper level.

What if we’re doing the same thing with God’s call in our lives? What if, just like those unknown numbers, we’re hitting decline when God is calling us?

We pray and ask God for direction, purpose, and a calling—like submitting job applications and waiting for a response. But when the call finally comes, are we actually answering? Or are we too busy, too distracted, or too afraid to pick up?

Here’s the hard truth:

You can’t walk in your calling if you won’t answer the call.

Jesus Is Calling

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus gave a very simple but powerful invitation:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

That wasn’t just a call to Peter and Andrew—it was a call to all of us. At the heart of every believer’s life is this calling: to follow Jesus and bring others into the Kingdom of God.

That calling doesn’t depend on your job, title, or stage of life. It’s always active, always ringing. But it still requires a response.

Don’t Be Like Jonah

Think about Jonah. God clearly called him to go to Nineveh and preach repentance (Jonah 1:1–2). But instead of answering, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He didn’t just send the call to voicemail—he completely rejected it.

And what happened? God didn’t give up on Jonah. Instead, He got Jonah’s attention in a very dramatic way—by placing him in the belly of a great fish (Jonah 1:17). For three days, Jonah sat in isolation with nothing but God’s voice ringing in his heart. Eventually, Jonah surrendered and accepted the call.

But Jonah’s delay came at a cost. He suffered, and others on that ship suffered too, all because he didn’t answer when he should have.

Let that be a warning, not just a story.

God Is Still Calling You

The call of God is persistent, but He won’t force you to answer. Revelation 3:20 reminds us:

“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.”

God is calling you—not just to salvation, but to purpose, to mission, to obedience. The question is: Are you listening?

Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

That means His call isn’t going away. You can’t ignore it forever. Sooner or later, you will face the choice: keep declining, or finally pick up and walk in obedience.

Will You Answer Today?

Don’t get swallowed up by the distractions, fears, or comforts of this world. Don’t delay your calling until it’s convenient. God doesn’t always call when it’s easy—but He always calls at the right time.

Today, I invite you to reflect:

Are you sending God to voicemail? Are you ignoring the very thing you’ve been praying for? Are you running like Jonah, or are you ready to follow like Peter?

Let’s be people who answer the call of God the moment it comes—no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice. The reward of obedience is always greater than the price of disobedience.

Keep the line open. Stay in constant communication with God. Answer His call—and follow Him boldly.