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.