I believe that God invites (calls) everyone, everywhere into renewed relationship with Himself, all the time. So that clergy people like me are called, but that so is everyone who listens to God in their lives. As a pastor, and as an educator of chaplains, I am frequently asked about how to know if God is calling, and if so, how would be know? I quickly want to say that of course, in the macro sense, God calls everyone to turn from the self-led life and invite Him into the center of their lives. he then calls every on to ‘love God, love your neighbor, in the same as you ought to love yourself.’ However, the interest is usually in a more personalized, individualized calling from God to you.
In reply, I identify three indicators that if noticed, will reliably guide you to where God is calling you. If used, the calling may be to something grand and big. Usually it is simply to the next micro-step. Here they are:
- Hunger. What are you hungry for? What do you want more of for yourself, for your loved ones, for others, for society, for the world? I believe God gives each of a us ‘holy hunger’ for what he wants us to become, work at, participate in, and contribute to.
- Energy. What gives you energy, excites you, get’s you going, engages you and propels you forward? That’s a good indication of a calling. I believe that God wants us to full alive – fully alive – abundantly alive! (John 10:10).
- Peace. When we are in the place/relationships/work/church/profession/psycho-social-emotional-spiritual context that God wants us to be in, He will give us a quiet, profound peace. Conversely, if we find that our peace has moved away from us, we might want to go explore and find it again. God sometimes disturbs our sense of peace in order to motivate change in us.
I hope these three indicators are helpful to you. Perhaps take time in contemplation and/or prayer to ask yourself, and to ask God: Do I have peace? What give me energy for life? What am I hungry for?