Gleanings from the Lectionary (12/06/11) – Ordinary Rocks
Amos 7:10-17
“I am not prophet, nor a prophet’s son; I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock.”
Amos had no standing in the world, certainly not among the religious. He had no credentials. He had no connections. Nepotism wasn’t a means by which he could advance. Prophesying wasn’t the family business. And yet, God used Amos. He plucked him from the fields and flock and said “say this,” being an unlikely candidate notwithstanding.
This is my experience. I get it. I relate personally. Ask anyone who was a part of my youth if they could have predicted ministry for me. Passion for a cause to be sure, but ministry? Ordained ministry? No. I was perfecting paganism and beholden to no one, even God. And yet He called.
Truth is we all are unlikely candidates, never worthy. But we are chosen just the same. God orders the universe more through the ordinary than anything else. Subtle shifts in history are made through shepherds, teachers, homemakers and lawyers, even lawyers. The shifts are made when we hear and obey and lives are touched by it.
Are we listening? Will we walk away from the flock and out of the field?