God calls people into ministry in different ways. And I think one of the things that confuses people, especially here in Nigeria, is that we have heard stories of our fathers in the faith and how God called some of them in very dramatic ways.
Because of the respect we have for them and because of the results we have seen in their lives and ministries, we sometimes begin to think, “If God is really calling me, something dramatic must happen to me too.”
So when we don’t have a dream, a vision, a supernatural encounter or some very dramatic experience, we begin to wonder, “Is God really calling me?”
But God doesn’t call everybody the same way.
One of the things I would encourage you to look at is what is happening in your heart. Is your heart genuinely panting after the things of God? Is there a growing desire in you to serve God and to be useful in His kingdom?
And I’m not just talking about enjoying going to church. I’m talking about something deeper.
Do you find yourself genuinely burdened about people? Do you care about souls being saved? Do you enjoy seeing people’s lives change? Do you find yourself wanting to teach, help, encourage, disciple or serve people even when nobody is going to praise you for it?
Sometimes, you begin to notice that God is putting an assignment in your heart that is bigger than your present reality.
You may not even know exactly what it is yet, but there is this persistent desire: “I want to do more for God. I want to help people. I want to see lives changed. I want to build something for the kingdom.”
That doesn’t automatically mean every strong desire is a divine call, because desire also needs to be tested, developed and confirmed. But don’t dismiss it simply because there was no dramatic experience.
You don’t have to have a ten-hour vision where you see God Himself telling you, “You are called into ministry.” 😂
God may speak through Scripture. He may place a burden in your heart. He may use circumstances, people, mentors, spiritual leaders or opportunities to confirm what He is doing in you.
Look at Moses. God used the burning bush to get his attention (Exodus 3). That was dramatic, but notice that God was communicating with Moses in a way that made sense for the situation. The burning bush wasn’t a requirement for everybody else to be called.
Your encounter with God may not look like somebody else’s encounter.
And that’s important because sometimes we are waiting for somebody else’s testimony instead of paying attention to what God is doing in our own lives.
So don’t measure your calling by how dramatic somebody else’s calling was.
Instead, ask yourself: What has God been consistently putting in my heart? What kind of people am I burdened for? What work do I find myself drawn toward? What gifts has God placed in me? And as I serve where I am now, is that burden becoming clearer or disappearing?
And don’t rush to give yourself a title because you feel called. Calling should lead you into service before it leads you into a position.
Start serving. Learn. Grow. Submit yourself to spiritual leadership. Develop your character. Let the people around you also recognise what God is doing in your life.
Because sometimes, you may feel the call before you fully understand the assignment.
God doesn’t have to call you dramatically for the call to be genuine. Sometimes He simply keeps putting something in your heart until you realise, “I can’t ignore this anymore. There is something God wants me to do.”
15 people found this helpful