Called Out for Divine Purposes

In a reflection from Not By Bread Along 2024: Daily Reflections for Lent, Catherine Upchurch observes, “Human flaws and weaknesses do not diminish holiness. To be holy means to be called out for divine purposes.”

We see this truth play out over and over again in Scripture. Abraham betrayed his wife; Jacob was a cheat and a liar; Noah was a drunkard; Moses, David, and Judith were murderers; Solomon betrayed the covenant God made with him by worshipping other gods; Zechariah doubted God’s word; Peter betrayed Jesus out of fear. And yet, with all their weaknesses and flaws, these people were instruments in God’s unfolding plan of Self-revelation, liberation, and the peace that comes from living in right relationship.

In this sense, we all have the capacity to be holy, because we are all called out for divine purposes. However, for various reasons, we may not recognize or respond to that call:

• Sometimes we don’t recognize our call because the things we are drawn to do seem so ordinary. How can treating our coworkers with kindness and respect or volunteering to walk dogs at the animal shelter be part of God’s divine purpose?

• Sometimes, like the prophet Jonah, we recognize our call but resist it because we think we know better than God what should be done or who should be invited to the table of forgiveness and mercy.

• Sometimes our understanding of our call is clouded because of self-doubt, societal pressures, indecision, or lack of insight.

God’s creation is in great need of healing and peace. When we are true to the way the Divine Presence is present in each of us, we can live out our unique calling to contribute to the loving, creative, interconnected universe that God envisions.