I recently read The Prophet by Francine Rivers.  The following is my journaled thoughts in response to the study questions at the end of the book.  I know I am no prophet; no Amos, but some parallels and self-applications are ringing in my heart.  I hope you don't mind my sharing them here:

Amos was just a humble shepherd from a humble town. He knew sheep and sycamore fig-trees; not deep "religious" theologies and mysteries.  He was not trained or qualified, but he was CALLED.

Amos was called two years before the fruition of his calling.  Even then, the outcome was not magnificient and awesome.

He prophesied to and ministered to those not willing to be taught... they didn't even acknowledge their need at all and scorned Amos' devotion to delivering the truth to them.

He was untrained and seemingly (in the world's perception) foolish.  Religious leaders rebuked him and shunned him. Political leaders chastised him and tried to repress his God-given goals, but he persisted in his mission.

He obeyed God rather than men.

I am a simple girl. 

I have not finished a college degree. 

I have very little training of any value to the world's way of seeing the situation.

But I am CALLED.

I was called long before the recipients of my message understood/understand my words.  I was called long before my job is appreciated by those it serves. In fact, it may NEVER be appreciated. Teh ouutcome may seem small and meaningless.

I teach those not willing to be taught.  they don't even acknowledge their need for my devotion and commitment to delivering truth to them.

The world views me as foolish.  Religious leaders shun my desire to worship with my children and to avoid youth groups, etc.

Political leaders chastise me and those like me and try to repress my God-given goals, but we must persist in our mission...  to homeschool.

I will obey God rather than men. 

I am CALLED.

Amos 7:10-15

 10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: "Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. 11 For this is what Amos is saying:
       " 'Jeroboam will die by the sword,
       and Israel will surely go into exile,
       away from their native land.' "

 12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. 13 Don't prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom."

 14 Amos answered Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

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