Scripture
And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” Hebrews 5:4

Observation
There is a funny scene in the movie The Apostle actor Robert Duvall portrays a has-been Bible-banger who launches his ministry with a humorous scene of self-baptism. He plunges himself into the water, places his own hand on his head, and baptizes himself as an apostle. Of course it’s dumb, but is closer to the mark than we think. How many times in little ways in life do we act out of presumption rather than God’s presence. We charge in as the self-anointed saying things like

It may not be my place to say, but…
Excuse me for butting in…
Here’s my two cents worth….

There is something to be said about waiting to see what God has to say about us. Jesus, in all of his greatness, did not march from the manger into the market square and start preaching. He waited 30 long years, he waded into the muddy baptism waters and he waited until his Father spoke. The simple words from heaven carried Jesus through the next three years. “You are my beloved son, with whom I’m well pleased.” Later when he was challenged about his right to preach in the great Temple without a license, Jesus went straight back to that moment.

Application
If the son of God, Jesus himself, did not take on himself the office of high priest without God saying the word, then no matter the role here on earth we should wait for the Father to speak. Whatever work we do for the Lord, it is ultimately God who does the choosing. Leaders recognize God’s call, but it is the Lord who does the choosing.

So we must wait for the Lord to speak about us.

Prayer
Lord, speak over my life the things you have prepared in advance for me to do so that it will be clear both to myself and to others. Amen.