Is God Calling Me?

We've all heard of the "call of God." What does that call look like? How do you know what your calling is? I guess you could say that whatever your passionate about God will connect with His eternal purpose. When we live according to His purpose and not our own, then we in essence, tap into His eternal purpose through our temporal living. Great fulfillment comes from fulfilling God's Kingdom plan.

All of us have been called to minister to this world. We are called to "preach" the Gospel. Some just do it in a pulpit. We may not all preach in a pulpit. We may not all teach in a classroom. However, our platform for ministry is everywhere we go, everything we do and everything we say.

What is involved with being "called" to the ministry by God?

Isaiah 49:1-3 ¹Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. ²And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; ³And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

1. It will be God who calls you. (v.1)
2. God will fill the called with His word (v.2)
3. God will prepare you before He uses you (v.2)
4. God will give you rest (v.2)
5. God will bring glory to His name (v.3)

There are a few types of calling to consider:

The call to Salvation - this is the first call you will receive.

• Mark 2:17 ¹⁷When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• Luke 5:32 ³²I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• Acts 2:39 ³⁹For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
• Romans 1:5-6 ⁵By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: ⁶Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

The call to Holiness - this is the call to learning how to walk "IN" Christ.

• Romans 8:28-30 ²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

The Call to Full-time or Vocational Ministry - this is where your temporal occupation naturally progresses to a spiritual occupation based upon the evidence of your calling and situational opportunity. Consider how the call of God came to those in Scripture:

• Moses was called from a burning bush (Exodus 3)
• Joshua was appointed by God (Joshua 1:1-9)
• Isaiah was called in a vision (Isaiah 6)
• Nehemiah was called through distressing news (Nehemiah 1)
• Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 11:22)
• Jeremiah was called from his mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:4-10)
• The Apostles were called (Matthew 4:19; 9:9; Mark 1:17)
• Paul was dramatically called (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:15)

The call to a specific task - this is where a particular assignment is given to you from the Lord.

• Peter and John were sent by the church in Jerusalem to investigate the work of Philip in Samaria. (Acts 8:14)
• Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch to follow up on the church that had been planted there. (Acts 11:22)

The clarity of God's calling will come in multiple ways:

• Scripture and Prayer - God's calling will not contradict His Word. He is not the author of confusion. If He calls you, that calling will line up with what He has already identified in Scripture.
• Righteousness - we each receive a purpose with our calling. At the root of that purpose, will be a desire to reflect a pure image of Jesus to the world. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you will not only be filled but you will also be fulfilled.
• Rightness - each of us are wired for a unique purpose. God makes no mistakes. He doesn't change His mind and later decide that you're no longer called. If we tell God that we are no longer called and He can have the calling back - we do so in error - for God makes no mistakes. To suggest you are no longer called is to INSULT the integrity of God and to make Him out to be a liar. In our weakness, He will become strong if we endure the trial of faith we face. His calling is a "right" fit and will be evidenced by fruitfulness.
• Confirmation - this is a critical element. God will use the body of Christ to confirm the call of God in your life. Your pastor, leaders, church and even friends and family will confirm that God is speaking in your life. Your calling will come in the context of relationship. Listen with a discerning ear to Godly counsel.

All in all, we are called first to the person of Jesus (Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me") and then that calling is confirmed through relationships He has afforded in our life. When all of these elements come together, you'll know the voice of God is speaking clearly in this particular area of your life. There will be a deep settled conviction of the Lord's voice in your ear. His voice will remain in your ear over a sustained period of time moving you closer and closer to His eternal purpose.

Is God calling you? Don't wait for someone else to answer. Be available. Be involved. Like Isaiah said in Isaiah 6:8 "Here am I, Lord. Send me." You'll be glad you plugged in and heeded the call of God.

The question is not whether you're called, for you are. The question is "where am I called to?" The answer may be to serve Jesus right where you are already.

Identifying your calling based upon your gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ⁴Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

• Diversities of Gifts - Holy Spirit
• Differences of Administrations - Jesus
• Diversities of Operations - God

Diversity of Gifts - Gifts of the Spirit (nine listed here)

• 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 ⁸For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: ¹¹But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Differences of Administrations - Directed by Jesus for the purpose of guiding the church - (five-fold ministry gifts)

• Ephesians 4:11-12 ¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

1. The Apostle - the EAR (Hearing) He hears the Word of the Lord for the church. (Provides both hearing and balance)
2. The Prophet - the EYE (Seeing) He is the instrument of vision in seeing the plan of God for the church. (Gives divine revelation, foretells future events, provides vision)
3. The Evangelist - the NOSE (Smelling) He is the instrument of action and movement in reaching out and going to the lost. (Messenger of good, has an emotional appeal, diligent in the Word, provides both smell and breath.)
4. The Pastor - the HAND and FOOT (Touching) He discerns what is right and wrong and guides the church with wisdom. (Shepherd of the local church, discerns false ministers, lays down his life for the sheep, provides feeling.)
5. The Teacher - the MOUTH (Tasting) This gift is usually coupled with that of the Pastor. He takes the food of the Word, chews it, and makes it digestible for the rest of the body of Christ.)

Diversities of Operations - God equips His body to serve and help others.

• Romans 12:7-8 ⁷Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; ⁸Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
  
• Serving - involves the grace to oversee a work, to set it in order, and to make sure it is done correctly. The Levites are Old Testament examples that typify this ministry. Although they were not the priests at the altar, they were to assist the priests in bringing order in the house of God. Basically, they were responsible for three areas in the house of God: 1) Order and maintenance; 2) Offerings and finances; 3) Praise and worship
• Encouraging - Barnabas exemplified this gift, as he was always lifting the weak.
• Giving - this gift involves faith to channel finances into the Kingdom of God. Joanna and Susanna are New Testament believers who exercised this ministry gift (Luke 8:3)
• Leading - this is the ability to inspire others to consistency in areas of service by your own example of diligence.
• Showing mercy - this gift is used to show compassion with cheerfulness for the needy, the sick, the poor, and the destitute.
• There are more...I've only mentioned a few here.

Moving into your Gifts and Calling

1. Accept who you are

• Romans 11:29 ²⁹For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
• What you are in God is what you are.
• Each of us will appear before the Judgement seat of Christ to receive judgment for what we've done with our gifts and calling.
• This inot a judgment of salvation to determine our eternal destiny, but a judgment of works based on what we did with the gifts and calling on our lives.
• It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the gifts God has bestowed on us.

2. Present your body

• Romans 12:1 ¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
• What have you presented to God for Him to use?
• As you present yourself to the Lord, He will take and use what is given to Him.
• When the disciples brought the five loaves and two fishes to Jesus, He multipled them to feed the multitude.
• He uses only what is presented and sacrificed to Him.

3. Renew your mind

• Romans 12:2 ²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
• Having your mind renewd will move you into your ministry and cause you to know what God's perfect will is for your life.

4. Have a realistic appraisal of yourself

• Romans 12:3 ³For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Once you accept the calling of God in your life, you can never lay it down or hand it back to God and say "I'm done." Nor can you give it back to God and say, "I don't believe I'm called anymore." The Scipture is clear that "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11:29)

God doesn't make mistakes. If He called you and you answered the call - then He'll hold you accountable for that calling in the courts of Heaven. His record is sure and His Word is "yea and amen!" When you say "yes" you bind yourself to the eternal purpose of God and are never released from your calling.

Assignments may change but the calling of God does not. The fulfillment of our calling is not contingent on our feelings or circumstances. Our calling and election is "sure" in God's eyes. To say that you were never called, especially after you accepted the call, that call was verified and confirmed by the body of the Christ and the evidence of that call bears fruit - is to insult the integrity of God and to make Him out to be a liar. This is not only dangerous but it puts one in spiritual jeopardy.

Friends, when God calls us He expects us to finish our course with excellence and move to the next level of His eternal purpose. We are never released from our "vow." The same can be said of a marriage. Once you make your vow, you are held to that vow until "death do we part."

The reason we make a vow in front of God, our future spouse, a minister and a room full of witnesses is so that when we feel like walking away from that vow, those people are there to remind us of the vow we took. We need this kind of pressure in our lives. Without it, we are a loose cannon and a train wreck.

From the time we answer the call of God in our life, we no longer have the "reigns" nor do we sit in the drivers seat. To push God out of that place is to take an alternate route to our destiny. To tell God you want the wheel is to say to God "Your plan isn't acceptable to me anymore. I want to do this my way." Friend, we can even convince ourselves that we're in "the will of God." However, the great leveler called "time" will reveal otherwise.

Anytime we become our own counsel and refuse to accept counsel from our spiritual fathers and leaders, we are headed for trouble. Solomon was wise when he said "wisdom is in a multitude of counselors."

I've learned over the years, that the calling of God in my life is relational to the people He has placed over me. I seldom make decisions without the voices of wisdom speaking clearly in my life confirming the impressions of my heart and spirit. Especially major decisions that involved my ministry, family and children.

It only takes one bad decision in your life to teach you to never to do that again. It behooves us to listen and receive instruction. Solomon in all of his wisdom declared:

• Proverbs 15:32 ³²He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
• Proverbs 13:18 ¹⁸Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Friends, continue to walk in your calling. Sure, you're going to be tempted to quit. Especially, when your feelings lie to you and circumstances are tough. However, hold on, don't give up, press through it and you'll come through like GOLD tried by fire. Everyone will benefit from your persistance and the pay off will be "out of this world!"

God has a MASTER PLAN!