The Call: Methods of Delivery
I dont receive many letters any more. People contact me by phone, email or text messages. Similarly, a calling arrives by one of three delivery methods.
Sometimes a calling comes directly from God. Its doubtful youll audibly hear His voice. People who hear Gods voice usually end up in mental institutions. Its more likely that you, like Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13 KLV), will hear Gods still small voice. You may read a Bible verse and suddenly know Gods mission for your life. Or you may be praying and God reveals your calling through a thought, insight or awareness.
God may use another person to call you. You might be listening to a sermon and sense Gods assignment. Or be reading a book and unexpectedly know what God wants you to do. The call may come through a casual comment in conversation. Or it might be heard through a movie, TV show or song.
Many people connect with their calling through life circumstances. Sometimes it relates to your positive experiences. Perhaps youre involved in a wonderful activity and you want others to experience it, too. Or it may arrive through lifes painful moments – times of hurt, loss, sorrow, brokenness or humiliation. When youre hurting, you just want the pain to end. But later, you recognize that you want to help others going through the same experience.
God will call you. When and how are up to Him.
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
