DISCERNING GOD'S CALL

In the Old Testament, God primarily called human beings by speaking directly to them. 

The long and distinguished list of Old Testament characters who heard God speak directly includes Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, David, Solomon, and almost every prophet. In addition to speaking directly, God sometimes also utilized signs and wonders, divine messengers or angels, or dreams and visions to communicate his direction. In the New Testament, Jesus could still issue in-person invitations and instructions, but we also read of believers receiving direction through visions. 

By and large, however, the Holy Spirit became the primary means of communicating calling or direction to believers in the early church. 

Direction from the Holy Spirit was often coupled with human confirmation. So although God initiates calling, biblical examples show us the importance of human conversation and cooperation in the calling process. And that process can utilize both supernatural and natural means, as described by author Elisabeth Elliot. 

According to Elliot, supernatural means can include visible or audible signs, angels, dreams and visions, and prophets. While these means are less familiar to many of us today, God can and still does use them, and we must be open to the possibility of this type of communication regarding our calling. Natural means include God’s Word, prayer, human agents, gifts, experience, desires and passions, and circumstances. Loved ones, or even complete strangers, may deliver words of encouragement or challenge. We may see God’s blessing in particular experiences, or during the use of our gifts and talents. God may put a passion in our heart for a particular need or group of people. Sometimes, circumstances will provide direction, although these can also be hard to interpret.

The Bible serves as a plumb line against which to evaluate calling by any other means. 

While personal passions, desires, and circumstances can be used to discern God’s calling, these must be tested in light of the unchanging truths of God’s Word. And to know God’s Word, we must spend regular time in it. We should also spend time in prayer. Direction from God requires dialogue with God. Taken together, the combination of supernatural and natural means in our life will point to a common theme or direction. 

Questions:

• What supernatural or natural means does God seem to use to communicate in your life?
• Do you know your Shepherd’s voice? How does God make his voice clear to you?