Discerning the Call of God on your life
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24 NLT).
by John David Hicks
Hearing a pastor or missionary speak of feeling called to their work can be baffling to listeners. How did he or she know it was a call of God? Would God be calling me to some kind of full-time Christian service? How can I be sure?
The common practice of Jesus’ day was if you wanted to be a disciple of a teacher, you sought them out and volunteered. But unlike them, Jesus chose His disciples. The ministry is not something a person chooses on his own. In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). The New Testament begins with, “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe” (John 1:6-7). John the Baptist was willing to make any sacrifice, pay any price, forsake all to “pave the way for Christ.” He declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
For some the call may come gradually. You begin to feel a burden for the ministry as you serve the Lord. When you teach or preach, that desire grows into a flame. You understand Jeremiah 20:9, “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” The call is on you.
Charles Spurgeon explained a call as “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” The person called of God will have a growing compulsion to preach and teach the Word, and to minister to people. Often, the person called feels inadequate, but the Lord will equip you with the gifts necessary for your ministry.
When God calls you, He also gives a message. John Wesley testified, “I felt my heart strangely warmed…. I knew that God had saved me, even me!” That was the message God incorporated into his life, and through his ministry millions of people began to follow the Lord. With that conviction, he had a ministry and a call that changed the world.
The Holy Spirit is the one who must issue the call to ministry. You can “desire the office of a bishop” (1 Tim. 3:1), but the call of God comes from the Holy Spirit. Be sure not to confuse recognition of a need with a call. You hear a missionary from India telling of work among the lepers and think you may have been called to help. Then someone from Africa tells of the desperate need there and you want to go to Africa. There are always needs all over the world, and in our own country too. That doesn’t mean you are called to meet all those needs.
Jesus devoted most of His ministry to training His disciples. Education and experience will free your potential to minister effectively. That is also part of the call and should not be rushed or neglected.
Jesus modeled for us four qualities of successful ministry:
First of all, you must know that you are loved and accepted by God. This knowledge will affect your outward performance and success. You must know that your identity and righteousness are established with God. A performance mentality is no longer an issue. Many in ministry often struggle with the aspect that they have to perform in order to be accepted and to validate their ministry. If the ministry comes from God, then obedience trumps performance. Where God guides He provides…therefore it is not of “you” anyway (Phil. 4:19).
At Jesus’ baptism, at the beginning of His ministry, this was established. “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’” (Matt. 3:17). This laid a foundation for His ministry. When you know that you are loved, accepted, and forgiven, you can love, accept, and forgive others. It is not how much you love God, but knowing how much you are loved that will motivate you. “For Christ’s love compels us” (2 Cor. 5:14). Know that you are greatly loved.
Second, like Jesus, you must understand that your calling is to be a servant. Jesus served others, without expectation of reward or affirmation. He gave without expectation of return. This gave Him spiritual authority. “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:26 NLT). When your concern for others outweighs your concern for yourself, you will have maturity in your ministry. The authority of your ministry will be built on your service and sacrifice.
If you can be submissive to church leaders’ authority, you can be submissive to God’s authority. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Lead by being a servant.
Third, Jesus was involved in a discipleship group. People are discipled in small groups primarily through modeling. When you are in a group that is honest with one another and accountable, you will grow and mature spiritually. The group will cultivate in you personal times of worship and prayer, clarify scriptures, and provide accountability. It is through real life situations and shared experiences that your faith will be established. Get involved in an accountability group.
Fourth, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and He promised, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NLT). The proof that you are filled with the Holy Spirit is, “you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.” After Pentecost the disciples had the power to be witnesses! Jesus said, “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 NASB). Paul could say, “Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake” (1 Thess. 1:5).
The call of God is evidenced by the fruit of relationship with God and others. If you can’t lead others to Christ before you go on the mission field, what makes you think you could do it when you get there? Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John15:16). Your calling and fruit can be seen as you immerse yourself in the word of God, as you pray for anyone who has a need, and as you disciple the ones you have led to Christ.
As the call of God is incorporated into your life, you will step out by faith and share Christ. A truth is not real to you until you experience it. When you are “a doer of the word and not a hearer only,” you will find with Paul that the will of God is good, worthy of eager acceptance, and perfect (Rom. 12:2).
The Lord who has called you will open the doors before you and provide for you. The church and other believers will recognize and confirm the call of God on your life. “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act” (Matt. 7:16 NLT).
Pray with me: You, O Lord, have loved me with an everlasting love. You have seen my past, present, and future. I have settled it in my heart that I am loved and accepted by You, and that love will never change! No matter what I do, You will not love me more. No matter what I do, You will not love me less. I am secure in Your presence. I have fixed my eyes on You, the author and perfecter of my faith. I expect You who began a good work in me to accomplish Your purposes. I acknowledge Your sovereignty and sustaining grace. Thus, I will not waste my time arguing with You about my weaknesses and unworthiness. You called me and ordained me. The choice was not mine, but Yours. Your will be done.
Lord, make me Your bond servant. I have made my choice. I am not my own, I belong to You. Claim me as Your right; love me as Your child. Catch me when I stumble, protect me when I am attacked, heal me when I am wounded, resurrect me when all seems hopeless. I am Your servant to do Your will, which is more desirable to me than greatness or wealth or power or position, and I choose it over all things in heaven and on earth.
Lord, I desire more than anything to live in Your presence. This was the purpose of creation, that I might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. Your union in my heart is Your gift of Yourself. “In Christ,” I am Your servant, and Your approval is all that matters. I bow in Your presence in wonder, praise, and worship!
My Lord, I have heard Your call and accept Your commission. You, O Lord, have anointed me with the oil of the Holy Spirit; You have gifted me with Your wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption, to live in Your presence and to labor by Your power and to experience Your victory. Lord, the harvest is great; send me into Your field to reap and raise up workers. Thus, I will watch and pray, for I want to be a disciplined soldier when You come for Your own. I will be in the front line of battle, obeying Your orders, loyal to Your church. My banner will read: “AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.” For it’s all about You, Lord, not about me! You, O Lord, are my beloved, my message, my center, my essence, my purpose, my all! You are good. Your unfailing love and faithfulness continues forever. To You be all the glory, honor, and praise for ever and ever! Amen and amen!