At one point in my church life, I was very into being a volunteer. At one point, I was a church Elder, sang in two of the musical groups, and every other Wednesday night, I did the dishes. If I had been pressed to focus on one of these ministries, my choice might not have been the one you would expect. I loved singing, and if anyone needs a quality bass voice, give me a call. I felt that I was bringing a very specific and valuable set of viewpoints and skills to our church’s Elder Board. But where I felt most significantly answering God’s call was when I was alone, in the kitchen, after the meal, scrubbing pots and pans. Those Wednesday night dinners allowed parents to have time to study, learn, and participate in church activities in the knowledge that their children were safe, comfortable, and being introduced to Jesus, while also having a comforting meal with their own and their church family. None of this would have been possible without clean pots and pans, plus, I had paid for a good part of my education ‘scrubbing the aluminum.’ At that time, this was the most important mission God had called me to.
There are many different meanings of what it means to be called by God, so how do we decipher what we are supposed to be doing? If you read the story of the Prophet Elijah in the Book of Kings, you will see that God can and will call us to do different things at different times.
God Calls Us to Big Things
It seems to be the primary responsibility of an Old Testament Prophet to convince entire nations to turn around and go the other way. And, whereas the masses don’t tend to do this willingly, God has to figure out big, dramatic events to get their attention, such as a three-year drought. God calls Elijah to go face Ahab, the fallen King of Israel, and prove to him, and to all of Israel, the power of the one, true God. Now, Elijah wasn’t going to convince them with clever speeches or feisty preaching. God calls upon Elijah to complete one of the great theatrical events of the Bible, a fire battle between the God of Israel and the pagan god, Baal.
First, Elijah gives the priests of Baal a whole day for him to set fire to the sacrifice, all the while talking serious smack, even wondering if, perhaps, Baal can’t be found because he had to go potty. Once, Baal fails, Elijah soaks the wood three times with water, then spoke, “Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” (I Kings 18: 37). At this instant, God send down fire from heaven, to burn the sacrifice, the wood, the water, and the hardened hearts of the people of Israel.” Ta Da!
God called upon Elijah, and not for the first time, to save the entire nation of Israel, and though I’m not sure you can count on God sending down a miracle of holy fire, He can be counted upon to provide the strength, the clarity, and the tools to accomplish whatever He asks you to do. It is possible, therefore, for you to be called to alter your life and join the mission field, to be asked to establish a safe haven for women and children who are trapped by abuse, and to create a ministry to break the hold of human trafficking around the world. But it is important to keep in mind God is never calling upon you to do these big things. He is merely using you and your passion to accomplish something that is important to Him.
For many of you, this seems overwhelming, or, it might seem that what God is speaking to you isn’t that important, and therefore, it must not be from God. Elijah, however, answers many calls from God.
So…
God Calls Us to Little Things
Prior to being sent to the Great Baal Beatdown, Elijah was told to stay with the Widow of Zaraphath. In chapter 17, he believes he was being sent to her in order to be fed and cared for, but the Widow, after three arid years, is preparing one last meal before she and her son die. Elijah performs a miracle by extending the women’s food and fuel so that they are fed. He then asks God to heal her son, and the boy returns to his mother. In all of this, we see the greatest of small efforts, caring for the very earthly needs of one single mother, Elijah, not only ensures her survival but also convinces her, more importantly, that God is still there and still speaking the truth. (17:24).
God loves and cares for the people who may have lost sight of that idea. God may be calling you to change the world, but He may also be calling you to speak kind words to a soul who has not heard them, and through your voice and deeds, that person may feel the love of God.
But even this might be too much… So
God Calls Us to No Things
After having done the big things and the little things, Elijah was emotionally spent. “He came to a broom brush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord….Take my life.” (19:4). Many Bible scholars and counselors have looked back at the story of Elijah and believed that he was probably dealing with depression. Dr. Mark Riley argues that this brief depiction shows that Elijah was experiencing four clearly understood symptoms of depression:
- He felt fear as he ran from Beersheba’s threat to kill him.
- He felt that he had failed, more specifically, that he had failed God, and was “not better than my ancestors” (19:4)
- He also is worried that all that he has done has led to nothing. He feels that as the last prophet in Israel who is fleeing for his life that his entire career has been futile, worthless.
- But mostly, he is tired. So what does God call him to do? Take a nap and have something to eat. “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (19:7)
Now, before you get started on your cave hunting and take 1 Kings 19:7 as your life verse, this calling is always temporary. If any of you have dealt with or cared for someone who deals with depression, it tends to be something that you just don’t ‘get over.’ It is not something that is cured. To a greater or lesser degree, it is something you will always deal with. After 40 days, God called Elijah back into the field. So, if you simply cannot go forward now, God understands, but be aware that He can, and probably will use whatever it is that is holding you back, like Paul’s thorn in the side, to be more effective as you move forward.
FREE RESOURCE: The Beginner’s Guide to Hearing God’s Voice
How Do I Hear God?
This is the hard part. We don’t have the benefit, generally, of God talking directly to us or having birds bringing us snacks, so we must be more discerning. Now, these are simply what helps me decide whether it is a call from God, the repeated message of a fallen, secular world, or indigestion from late-night burritos. (Your success may vary)
- Though I have heard all of my life that you must “Be Still.” I have found, however, that when God wants me, He lets me know. Maybe because though I may be in a quiet place, the inside of my head is never still.
- The call must be Biblical. If you are being called to demonstrate your own power and not God’s, it isn’t coming from Him.
- More than likely, it will fit into the gifts that God has provided you. Some people refer to these as fruit of the spirit or spiritual gifts, but essentially they are parts of your essential self of how you reach out to the world. In my case, I have learned that I have been blessed with the following.
My family has been in education for over three generations. I have seen it modeled my entire life. Plus, being in front of a classroom brings me joy. (Gift of Teaching)
I have been a writer of something or other most of my life. I have taught students to write for over 30 years. I feel that I can express myself most successfully with pen and paper. (Gift of Creative Communication)
I have a unique ability to be both self-deprecating and a smart aleck at the same time. (I’m not sure that one’s Biblical)
- If you are following God’s call, he will continue to renew the call. I had agreed to contribute to the church blog about 1 a month. I was working on one for September, and after 3 weeks of research and drafting, I had about 2 rotten sentences. Then last Sunday, this post, almost in its entirety, came fully formed into my head. I’m not saying that these are the words of God, but if you have complaints, don’t bring them to me.
- Warning: Being called by God does not mean instant success or really any success. Would I like these messages to reinvigorate the Christian World? Sure, why not? But as I am reaching out to my tens of readers, I keep hearing in my spirit that I am really writing this to one or two of you. I hope it finds you.
This is a long one, so I will call it a day. Besides, I am feeling compelled to have some Doritos and have a nap.
Bibliography:
Riley, Mark. “Suffering Depression? So Did God’s Prophet Elijah.” Soul Caring Counseling.
