Does God really lead us?

 

Often as evangelical believers we talk about the concept of ‘calling’ explaining it along the lines of God speaking to his people, sometimes this is narrowed even to the experience of a special, select ‘few’ and limited in scope to those who are engaging in full-time Christian ministry. The following are some notes I prepared for a talk:

Firstly, I would like to say that most Christians would believe that God communicates with his people, and that this may happen in many different ways. What is of utmost importance is that it does happen. We are in relationship with a Living God, who we call Father, and who communicates with us His creation and covenant people.  God communicates in a number of ways and one special way in which He leads and guides his people might be termed a vocation or calling and it’s this particular aspect of His communication I want to focus on. 

So what is the calling? Who is called? And what are we called to?

The whole idea of calling brings with it ideas of speaking, hearing, and communication. It is therefore a highly relational activity. A ‘calling out’ from one person to another in the context of the relationship between God and His children. It is initiated by God Himself – this fact alone means that we should pay attention whenever we sense His calling.

We should also recognise that calling is

·      a matter of being – we are called to be the people of God.

·      a matter of doing - we are called to do things with God.

·      a matter of becoming - we serve One who is not merely interested in getting us to do things, but also in the process of forming Christ in us – so as He leads and guides us individually in order that we might more fully appreciate who He is and who we are in Him.

So our calling comes on two levels - our primary calling is a general calling to belong to God, our secondary calling is a specific personal address through which we find ourselves led to specific places at specific times for specific works. Both of these require a joyful and glad surrender to yield to his leading and to do what He is calling us to be, do and become. I do not believe that these are the preserve of the few special people – all God’s people can and should experience the delight of knowing what God wants us to do, and walk with the affirmation that what we're doing at this particular time and place is what our Father wants.

How does God call?

When specifically dealing with the secodnary call or vocation God’s call comes in as many ways as there are people for Him to call - it is a unique, specific thing. God knows all of us intimately and personally He knows how to communicate with us in ways that we will understand, if we will spend time in his presence. What helps us spend that time in His presence is nurturing the conviction that He does speak – many of us, if asked, would express a firm belief that He does however, how many of us spend time in His presence specifically to hear his voice? Open to His leading and guiding? The challenge I would say, if there is no sense of calling therefore, would be ‘what does that say about our relationship with him and the depth of our discipleship?’

How may God communicate his calling to us?

As said there are many ways though they may fall into three different categories – (this is not exhaustive but an attemot to simplify)

1.     Simply having the desire to serve – as you express this desire to God you may find that as you take steps then doors of opportunity open up before you.

2.     God shares a burden with you - we could not cope with all the burdens that God carries and yet, somehow, the mystery is that through the working of his Spirit He shares a particular aspect of His burden with us. We may find our emotions are touched or challenged by different situations, people groups, etc and often when responding to these burdens we find ourselves serving God. What touches us at the deepest level maybe an indication of type of ministry God is leading us into.

3.     A specific word – some testify to a very clear and specific word from the Lord, this is a wonderful thing but do not think many have that experience.

I say this to affirm those who may feel they are not called because they have not had a word – as a leader of a Mission  I have the privilege of listening to new workers recounting the ways in which the Lord has led – it is a wonderful thing to hear and many times it falls into the first two categories rather than the third.

What are some of the keys to help us understand whether God is calling and leading us?

·      When God speaks I believe there comes a sense of peace and conviction

·      When we share our sense of leading with spiritual people they affirm the Spirit’s work. This is a process of discernment and only spiritual people can discern the leading of the Spirit so be wary with whom you share.

·      The sense of God’s leading brings with it a tenacity to pursue His leading to the end – if you cannot be easily out off it is more likely to be the Lord’s leading.

·      A sense of calling will bring with it a growth in depth and understanding and appreciation of our relationship with our Father in heaven – as you learn to recognise the Lord’s voice.

·      God is at work - so often the sense of calling leads us into things that stretch us into new areas that encourage personal growth and development of our faith.

So if you're convinced that God speaks, if you're convinced that God does have a plan and purposes for your life then there are Four simple steps;

1.     Ask Him

2.     Listen for His leading

3.     Share with others for affirmation

4.     Do what he asks   

If there's one thing that this generation needs in order for this process to work it’s to ‘unplug’ themselves from the numerous distractions clamour for their attention mobile phones, social media, music, television etc. The only way we can truly hear from God is to have seasons where we remove these distractions - silence may seem frightening, ‘what if I don’t hear anything?’, ‘What if He doesn’t speak to me?’ but silence brings us to the place where God's voice can be heard above all else and the blessings of being called, or set apart, to serve him will become increasingly apparent. 

I’d love to hear your experiences of how God led you, or if you want to embark on this adventure and are not sure what to do next – get in touch.

So press on!