Listening to God
Mark Hooper
Director of Recruiting and Training
Years ago, as a young believer in college, I felt that God was calling me to serve cross-culturally as a disciple-maker, but I was a bit unsure about where He was calling me or when I should go. Was it Kenya or India? Was it now or after I finished graduate school? Should I go now as a single man or wait until I was married? I often longed for a direct communication from God: maybe a quiet voice in the night, or better yet, a phone call. I got neither.
This experience, or lack thereof, led me to consider the question: what is a genuine call from God? I sought advice from older believers, many of whom had felt called by God to various aspects of ministry. Some said they just knew deep down inside. Others said God spoke through trusted confidants to them. One of them said, “My calling was not specific, just that I should go. It didn’t matter where or when.” But how was God calling me? Now, decades later, I have a deeper perspective of my calling to serve in India as a witness to Jesus. Here is a list of some contributing factors to my calling.
Conviction: what I couldn’t say “no” to, I must do it.
Preference: what is good, better, or best.
Giftedness: what I do well and what I don’t do so well.
Opportunity: preparations, experiences, and connections that lead to specific open doors.
I believe the above personal factors help identify a calling when (and this is crucial) they are discerned in a close spiritual relationship with God. Prayer and scripture are the fundamental avenues of communication between the human and the divine. Listening, not just talking, during prayer may give insights into God’s will. Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, is a good example. After praying that, if possible, there be another way to accomplish his mission, Christ was willing to submit to God’s will. After praying, Jesus knew what he had to do: endure the cross and embody sacrifice. He had heard from the Father, not an audible voice as far as we know, but a message within himself from God. What is God telling you as you sit in silence with Him?
We’d love to pray with you, help you listen well, and process your calling . Reach out to us at startthejourney@mrnet.org .