Broken Bread

Discerning The Distinctive Call Of God

The way to discern God’s distinctive call is this: foster a progressively deeper relationship with Him through intentional acts of submission, prayer, meditation, and heightened awareness of our gifts and opportunities, all guided by the Holy Spirit.

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The call of God is a key concept in the Bible, and it varies from a broad and universal calling to a more precise and individual calling. The former is much more apparent as the Scriptures paint a clear picture of God’s call that applies to all, beginning with salvation (Romans 8:29-30), and extending to holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), love (Matthew 22:37-39), evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20) and so on. The latter, however, requires spiritual introspection, deep devotion, and discernment.

Numerous biblical examples illustrate individuals receiving a specific calling tailored to their role in God’s divine plan. Abraham was called to be the father of nations (Genesis 12:1-4), Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10), David to be the king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:2-13), Esther to save her people from genocide (Esther 4:14), Mary to bring the Saviour into the world (Luke 1:26-38). Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15, Romans 11:13, 15:16).

Similarly, every believer in Christ is under a distinct and individual divine call (Ephesians 2:10). The passage in Ephesians 4:11-12 underscores this, highlighting diverse roles within the body of Christ for the benefit of the Kingdom. Moreover, our talents are crucial clues to our specific calling, intricately connected to God’s purpose. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Christ urges and expects us to invest and multiply these talents to fulfil our unique calling. Our talents are not random; God purposefully grants them to equip us for our specific calling.

However, the awareness of God’s call without clarity on its specifics can be frustrating, as shared by many in the church today. Practical steps like the following can guide believers in UKunderstanding God’s will and discerning their specific calling:

1. SUBMIT YOURSELF: In examining the examples of individuals in the Scriptures receiving a specific call from God, common factors of humility and trust emerge. These individuals exhibited a profound willingness to empty themselves and wholeheartedly surrender to God, placing their complete trust in His wisdom and divine plan above their own. For instance, Isaiah’s call coincided with his complete surrender and repentance (Isaiah 6:1-8, Proverbs 3:5-6)

2. PRAY FERVENTLY: To figure out God’s specific call, make prayer a habit involving both speaking and listening. Share our hearts, express our hopes, and then have a quiet time. Let God speak to our soul in that stillness. Paul and Barnabas received the call for a specific mission as they engaged in prayer and fasting. (Acts 13:2-3)

3. MEDITATE THE WORD: Dive into the Scriptures regularly, drawing inspiration from those who discerned and obeyed God’s call. Pay special attention to passages that resonate with us, as those texts are often evidence of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

4. IDENTIFY YOUR GIFTS: God often calls individuals to serve in areas where their unique gifts align. As mentioned above, our talents provide clues to our calling. Therefore, reflect and identify our talents and skills and connect them to our unique calling by relying on the Holy Spirit (Exodus 31:1-6, 1Peter 4:10-11)

5. PERCEIVE OPPORTUNITIES:
Be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, discerning openings and closures in life. Circumstances subtly hint at God’s guidance. The Holy Spirit guides and counsels but does not dictate; it’s our responsibility to seize revealed opportunities. (Acts 16:6-7, 8:26-39, John 14:16-17)

Patience is crucial throughout this process, cultivating a profound closeness with God, renewing the mind, and ultimately knowing His will and specific calling.
Therefore, the way to discern God’s distinctive call is this: foster a progressively deeper relationship with Him through intentional acts of submission, prayer, meditation, and heightened awareness of our gifts and opportunities, all guided by the Holy Spirit. As aptly expressed by an unknown source, “Your calling is not defined by what you do but by who you are in Christ”.

Pr. Jeswine James Baby
Bristol, UK

P.r Jeswin is the associate pastor of Mount Church Bristo. He also leads a non-profit organisation called Christian Action for India (CAFI) He has earned BA and MA in Theology. He is married to Fiby Thomas and lives in Weston-super-Mar