If you recognize that slogan we share at least two things in common: we grew up in the United States and were old enough to recall this slogan for Avon during the early 1970’s. Back then Avon salesladies went door to door selling Avon products.
In our small group Bible study yesterday (Sunday) we covered the things or people that call us: 
- The call of the wild.
- The telephone.
- Our mother, father, kids, and other family.
- Our friends.
- The lake, fishing, hunting, or other such outdoor activities.
- Crafting, writing, reading, relaxing.
- These days the ding of an email dropping into our email boxes and texts on our cell phones.
- That delicious chocolate cake, cookies, ice cream, candy bar – food!
- That great cup of coffee.
- And of course for parts of our population there are: Drugs, booze, pornography, violence and other things that can become an obsession although harmful to us.
- Electronics – gaming, cell phones, e-readers, computers, televisions, movies – all things that plug-in, charge up or run off of batteries.
- Fame.
- Wealth.
- Success.
As Christians we use the word “calling” to apply to many things too:
- Our relationship with Jesus.
- A vocational career in ministry or missions.
- Specific types of service/ministry as volunteers such as shelters, ministries to unwed mothers, senior adults, children, youth, first responders for natural disasters etc…
- The use of the creative arts and media to reach those of this world who do not have God in their lives.
(These lists are not exhaustive.)
As we sat discussing our selected text in the Scriptures, Mark 2:13-17, we also tackled the types of people who Levi (Matthew) invited to the dinner in his home that the Pharisees objected to, citing that Jesus associating with them (including Levi who was a tax collector) was wrong. Jesus replied, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (v17, N.I.V.)
Fact is all of us can be labeled as belonging to a particular “unholy” group of people, for not one of us is free of sin in our lives. (Romans 3:23) Even as the Pharisees pointed out the lack of righteousness in the lives of the people at Levi’s dinner they should have been able to recognize the lack of it in their own lives. Yet, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (v17, N.I.V.)
My last thoughts on this discussion were these that follow. There is a JOY to be expected in learning that we belong to the group of spiritually unhealthy people who Jesus calls. By His sacrifice of Himself on the cross, He provides a permanent bridge to us and God the Father thus allotting to us the privilege of serving Him through some calling in our lives. Perhaps it is evangelism, teaching, expounding upon the meaning of the Scriptures, or picking up trash in the church parking lot, making and supplying 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the youth fellowship or singing in the church choir. Perhaps it’s using the talents and gifts God has given you to write, act, dance, relate and minister to various and any group of people. Where God calls us to serve isn’t important. SERVING Him is important. To SERVE HIM we have to SERVE OTHERS. (Matthew 25:31-40)
WHO is CALLING you?
WHAT are they CALLING you TO DO?
HOW are YOU ANSWERING?
WOULD your LIFE support YOUR ANSWER?
-Faye
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