God’s call is not a feeling.
There, I did it. See the blood dripping on the ground there? That’s my fault. Sorry. See, I just knifed a sacred cow, and now it’s bleeding out.
The thing about sacred cows is that they really do need to die; it’s just not pretty when it happens. They are a distraction while they’re alive. They consume resources that could be used for something more important. Sometimes they even become a menace, trampling crops and threatening people. Obviously, they need to die. But people get attached to them. They feel safe as long as the sacred cow is around. So they don’t take it kindly when you stick a knife in their cow’s neck. But they’re always better off in the long run.
The sacred cow I’m after is the one branded “God’s calling = a deep and mysterious feeling.” God’s call is not a feeling. Biblically speaking, God calls people 1) to Himself and 2) to obedience. Salvation and service. And here’s the key point: Both come to us through His word, the Bible. People don’t get saved through a deep and mysterious feeling; they hear the gospel and obey it. Similarly, Christians don’t move into service because of a deep and mysterious feeling; they hear God’s word and obey it.
But if God’s calling is not a deep and mysterious feeling, how can you tell when He’s summoning you to something specific? Take missionaries, for example. Did God call the Petersons to South Africa? There’s no verse in the Bible with their name in it. So how do they know God has called them?
First, His word. Jesus says, “Go and make disciples.” They obeyed.
Second, their spiritual overseers. The Bible says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls” (Hb 13:17). They said “Africa?” and their elders said “We’re with you. Go for it.”
Third, need. Jesus’ typical pattern for ministry involved seeing a problem and responding to it. That’s oversimplified, but it fairly represents how the gospels explain His actions. Ministry happens where your resources meet the world’s need.
Finally, spiritual gifts, abilities, personality, and stuff like that. Form matches function. God made you that way for a reason.
That’s it. Don’t wait to feel called! Just obey the Bible, listen to your elders, respond to need, and do what you can.