It’s a regular occurrence. It seems to happen in close proximity to spiritually dynamic milestones in someone’s life: A question that erupts from under the surface of normalcy, complacency, and routine.

The question is something like: Is there more (or something radically different) that God is calling me to?

While the answer is almost always “Yes”, the resulting changes are where most people get stuck. And when people get stuck and aren’t sure exactly what to do, the normal default setting is to do nothing.

I want to open up this conversation by using the term “call” or “calling,” but I want to put some disclaimers on that.

Those in the flow of church life and spirituality can sometimes over-mystify the concept of calling. Many people think it’s a higher level of living out one’s purpose, and further that some are “called” while others are not. This is not my understanding of calling.

So, as we get into this discerning, know that there is no exemption I have found from what I understand in scripture. Certainly, there are callings placed on certain people for specific tasks, but that does not mean others are less than or uncalled altogether.

So when considering one’s “calling”, what should be remembered, considered, and what should weigh in most heavily? These are not questions only for pastors, ministry leaders, or missionaries. These are questions for every person of faith who has decided to follow Jesus.

The very fact that Jesus called disciples in the first century (called the first century because of His birth, and therefore preeminent in centrality in terms of His place in history) should indicate to us that faith in Jesus always includes following Jesus. You cannot have one without the other. Simply put: If you say you have faith in Jesus, you better be in motion following Jesus.

Go back to the gospels and Jesus calling His first disciples (student followers). The plain invitation was “Follow Me.” Not “Believe me”, or “Agree with my claims”, or “Watch me save the world”, or “Stand there and I’ll change you”, but “Follow Me.” That is connotative of placing yourself behind Jesus and, by nature, leaving where you are to move in the direction that Jesus is moving.

Okay, having that well established, how do we discern the direction that Jesus is moving us in? Or more to the point: In what direction is Jesus moving in YOUR life? Is there a way to detangle experiences, emotions, passions, logic, giftedness, opportunity, and desires so that we can see clearly what God would have us do right now at this point in the story? I say yes.

I’ll throw in right here the statement I have made to countless (mostly young) people over my 32 years of pastoral ministry: God will show you what you need to know, but only when you need to know it. I believe this is His way of fortifying your faith-filled intimacy with Him. He wants you close, and giving you the journey one step at a time will ensure your reliance on His ever-present help. So the question isn’t “What should I do in this situation?” as much as it is “What single step should I take NEXT on this journey?”

Don’t confuse Jesus’ invitation to “Follow Me” with “Know everything before moving an inch.”

Discerning the call of God regarding your step-by-step journey is meant to be exhilarating, not exhausting. The very fact that you care to ask discerning questions is an indication of God’s Spirit working in your life. So, take that as a victory regardless of the outcome.

Questions to ask in discerning calling:

• What are the things that God is passionate about? What are the things that I am passionate about? Where do those intersect?
• What giftedness can I identify in my life, and do I confess that they have been given to me by God?
• What are (and where are) the most obvious opportunities right now to leverage my passions and giftedness for Kingdom work?
• What step might be a next step to move in that direction?
• While I might be content with where I am now, have I become complacent about where I am now?
• What open doors are in front of me? How might those open doors be verified as God’s leading? Is it possible that this “good” thing might not qualify as a “God” thing?

Addressing these questions can help to start to crystallize some sense of discernment of God’s leading. But there’s an important aspect of God’s character that should be highlighted at this point. If you feel/think differently than I do about this, I’d love to hear that.

I believe you can be squarely within God’s will whether you are pastoring a local church or stocking shelves at the local Home Depot. I believe God can use a surrendered life as easily in the public school classroom as well as the corporate boardroom. I believe the life of a missionary is no more useful than the life of a plumber in the hands of God.

In other words, there is no scale in terms of God’s will. You’re either surrendered to it and actively following Him, or you aren’t. The details like location and vocation are incidental and secondary to that surrendered condition.

Now, if I have seen verification that I am gifted by God in some area (for me, it is preaching/teaching, writing, and encouraging discipleship among those who follow Jesus primarily in the context of the local church), and yet I am not seeking the place of greatest usefulness according to those gifts, then I do think changes need to be made.

As this is an ongoing batting around of thoughts in my mind and heart, I’ll stop here. I’d welcome any/all of your thoughts about how you define “calling” and what you think are good, helpful questions to ask when seeking to discern God’s calling on your life.