How do I Know God’s Call?

For fifteen years, I worked for a brilliant dentist. It was the best job. Flexible hours. Great benefits. Nice people. Lovely Christmas parties. The whole package. But eventually, I felt God calling me away from it and into a full-time speaking and writing ministry.

The call was clear

But I hesitated. I’d been with Dr. D. for so long, leaving felt like a divorce.

Giving up the security of a regular paycheck was scary.

Losing the familiarity I had with the staff and the connection with all those patients I had come to know and love was heartbreakingly difficult.

It felt like a giant leap across a deep ravine.

 

Change can be scary!

As you ponder and pray for guidance or answers or the courage to confirm God’s leading, verify his leading with these questions.

  • Is this new direction consistent with God’s nature?
  • Is there anything about this choice that is sinful or prideful or unnecessarily dangerous to you or those involved?
  • Will this new adventure glorify the Lord and bring you a greater sense of joy, satisfaction, and respect?
  • Do the circumstances line up with a change? Are doors closing in one area but opening in another?

When I felt God call me to resign from a job that had provided security for fifteen years, I was fifty-eight. The house was paid for. The kids were flourishing in their careers. It was a good time to take a risk. Speaking invitations were coming in. The circumstances aligned with making the change.

 

  • Are you equipped with the training or experience necessary?
  • Are you uniquely positioned to follow the call or direction, or is there training you need to complete or practice you need to do?

By the time I launched a speaking ministry, I’d been teaching the Bible for decades, writing lessons and finding appropriate illustrations to demonstrate points. I was an accomplished storyteller. I’d worked with a speaking coach and was comfortable with public speaking. God had been preparing me for decades for this.

 

  • Have people who love you and love God affirmed the leading?

Seek godly counsel about the call or leading or change you sense God is giving you. As I considered what moving from the office job to full-time ministry might entail, Dave (my hubz) encouraged me to make the shift. As I talked with women already in speaking ministries, they helped me clarify that I was following God’s leading to make Jesus famous and not myself.

 

  • Does the change bring you comfort, assurance, and peace?

While God may call you into something exciting, even a little scary, you should have peace about the shift. As it became clear to me that I’d have to quit the dentist’s, a peace and excitement about the ministry swelled in me.

 

Confirmation will come!

As you look to the heavens for answers, guidance, and leading, you can confirm that what you’re hearing is from God so you can take action with confidence.

He is always working for your good and his glory!

Leave me a comment about how God has been leading you lately.

 

Verse:

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” —Psalm 119:165

Prayer:

Lord, I know you only want what is best for me, even if that means change. Confirm your leading to me and give me the courage to take action on what you ask. Verify each step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

7 Comments

  1. Courtney on January 22, 2023 at 7:44 am

    I have been feeling restless in my job of 18 years for the past few, but I don’t like change. Then, this past November, I learned my office was closing, the other attorney was moving to a new office. She invited me to join her but it just didn’t feel like the right thing to do. I truly believe God did this – He made that situation go away so I would move on to something new. I have peace about that, but, now I am sitting in this place where I am not sure what the next thing is supposed to be!!! I appreciate the guidance you provided in today’s email. I have had one meeting with a Christian life coach, 4 more to go – praying that leads to some discernment. First meeting’s homework was to make a list of things that bring me joy, so I have been working on that. At the end of the day, I want to go where God leads me – praying I can hear his voice in all of this!

    • Robyn Dykstra on March 5, 2023 at 3:21 pm

      Hey Courtney,
      How’s that job search going? Curious to know how God is leading you.

  2. Margaret Heuer on January 22, 2023 at 9:59 am

    Yes i bebieve The Lord is wanting change and it has been scary but the seems to be opening more wider as i step out i sometimes have the encouragement i need.

  3. Jeanie on January 22, 2023 at 2:30 pm

    With YOUR Boot Camp Robyn, and now further coaching, I believe God’s calling me to speak. The Word God gave me for 2023 is “BOLDNESS.”
    I loved this email you sent because I think ? I’m still looking for confirmation that the Lord has truly called me. I want to go HIS direction.

    • Robyn Dykstra on January 30, 2023 at 9:27 pm

      The older I get the more I know I will fail, and that it’s not a fatal. I fail or I learn. Now I try to fail faster so I can course correct more quickly. Get after it, JC!

  4. Susan D. Fennig on January 23, 2023 at 12:24 am

    I was questioning what God was calling me to do. Our Church of God National Leadership Team is studying “Seven Realities For Experiencing God.” This email arrived at just the right time. It wasn’t just coincidence. I also was reading January 20th devotions in “Moments of Peace in the Presence of God” p. 50 & it said that “God is at work in you” & that “He is readying you (me) for great endeavors”. It also said ” you are worthy of being his choice instrument for important assignments to come” Your article will help me see where he is working & what I am to do. I am looking forward to doing what God wants to do. do. Thank you for sending me this email.

    • Robyn Dykstra on January 30, 2023 at 9:28 pm

      That’s nothing short of remarkable, Susan. How gracious is our God to confirm and affirm. Amen?

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