The Challenge of Calling

20 March 2020

It can be challenging at times to follow after the call of God. There are many obstacles and trails we will need to overcome along the way. 

The challenge of consistency

Calling isn’t a guarantee of success. It would be nice if it were but just because we may be called to a specific ministry, location, task, or role, doesn’t mean that:

• It will work out as we hoped, or
• We will reach the entirety of the vision, and everything we dreamed about will be accomplished, or that
• The ministry we're involved in will grow larger and larger.

Of course, God does amazing things – and we should prayerfully anticipate God’s blessing as we pursue His call, but we also need to be prepared to embrace tough seasons.

Calling has often been referred to by leaders as an anchor. Knowing your calling will help you get through dark days and challenging times. 

Sometimes it’s not about what we can accomplish through our calling, but what God is forging in us through our calling. God doesn’t call us to be superheroes and save the day with “our great ministries and calling”. 

Rather, He calls us to be consistent, to turn up day after day and serve the same people, year after year. It may not be glamorous. You may not feel recognised. You may not feel appreciated. And yes, you may want to give up at times, but our world desperately needs ministers who will love the “unlovable” and be a friend to the friendless. 

It can be a real challenge to reconcile that one of the most powerful aspects of ministry is just to be there, consistently, for others.  

To overcome this challenge, we are encouraged to rely on Christ’s strength,

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Cor 12:9).

The challenges of life 

There’s also a lot of natural fears that will pop up from time to time: 

• How am I meant to earn enough money?
• Is the timing right?
• What will my family and friends think? 
• Is this really for me?
• Did I hear God correctly?
• Will it be a good choice for my kids?
• Where will we live?
• What if I move to a place I don’t know anyone?

You may even find that those close to you will try and talk you out of your calling. You might be the first Christian in your friendship group, and the idea of ministry is new. You may face the obstacle of “It’s not a normal career path”. 

All good things in life are worth fighting for – and calling is no different. It can be hard at times, but for every challenge we face, God will be there for us. 

To overcome this challenge, we are encouraged to develop our trust in God,

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim 2:12).

The challenge of the start

One of the other challenges that will pop up from time to time is, “God – did you really call me?” 

Some leaders expect a burning bush or an Acts 2 upper room experience before they are convinced of their call. 

We’ve all heard testimonies of God calling people so clearly, and that is wonderful – we celebrate those stories. But at times, it can leave us feeling inadequate or unsure if this is the path we’re meant to stay on without such an experience ourselves.  

But when we look at people in the Bible, you will notice they all had different starting points: 

• Moses was in the outback wilderness of Midian (Exo 3:1-2),  
• Joshua began his journey in a tent (Exo 33:11),   
• David was in the fields minding his father’s sheep (1 Sam 16:11),
• Elisha was working his dad’s farm with oxen (1 Kings 19:19),
• Isaiah had an opened eye vision of heaven (Isa 6:1), 
• Daniel was a prisoner of war (Dan 1:3-6),
• Peter was fishing (Mk 1:16)
• Paul was out and about causing trouble for people (Acts 9:1-3).

All of these people were called during the ordinary daily routines of life.

And, they were called to follow God without knowing the end outcome or how it was exactly going to play out in their lives.

Overcoming this challenge, we can be encouraged to remember that it doesn’t matter how we start; it matters that we get going. 

Ephesians 2:10 tells us, 

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.

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Other articles on this topic: 

Discerning God's Call

Hearing God's voice

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Note: If you like to speak to someone about calling, feel free to contact us: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/comealive/contact-us/