EMBRACING YOUR CALLING

March 29, 2019

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Have you ever let fear or feelings of inadequacy hold you back? Maybe it’s an incredible new job opportunity, but that fear of failure keeps you from applying. Perhaps it’s a turbulent season of major life change and transition that opens the door for reluctance and self-doubt to creep in. We’ve all faced seasons of doubt and uncertainty, but when it comes to stepping into a specific calling – these thoughts and feelings can appear almost insurmountable.

So, what is a call or calling? A call is the leading of God to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar in fulfilling God’s will in your life. In other words, it’s leaving the known for the unknown and trusting God with the details. 

I remember very clearly when God began to call me to leave the business world and go into ministry. At the time, I didn’t know where or even how to begin – not to mention the flood of insecurities and self-doubts that I had to wrestle along the way. Later, as an assistant pastor in a large church in Houston, God began calling me to be the first pastor of a startup congregation in Atlanta. With no staff, no land, and no facilities, there were more than a few reasons NOT to do it.

Thirty-seven years after saying yes to that calling, I see so clearly how God filled in every missing detail. And now, God is calling me to leave the known for the unknown, and trust God in the details as He has led me to initiate the search process for my successor as Pastor.

The Bible is full of examples of bold men and women stepping into their calling:

  • Abraham followed God into a foreign land (Genesis 12:1-9)
  • Moses stood up to Pharaoh and led the Israelites from captivity (Exodus 3:1 – 4:20)
  • David as a young shepherd boy defeated a seasoned warrior and eventually became the King of Israel (1 Samuel 17)

In fact, every so-called “giant of the faith” at one time or another faced this same choice: Say ‘yes’ to God’s calling and leave the known for the unknown, or remain where it’s ‘safe’ and familiar. When it comes to God’s call in your life, begin by asking, What is it that God wants me to do? Then ask God for the courage and faith to take that first step.