The Truth About Your Calling

Trusting God's Calling Over Man's Permission

This article is adapted from a message I gave last Sunday. I pray that it blesses you. If you’d like to recieve more of this content and join our community, subscribe below.

Photo by Astrid Schaffner on Unsplash

Have you ever had that nagging feeling that there’s something more out there for you? A calling with your name on it?

My earlist memories of the church happenened when I was a small child. At my earliest rememberance, the church was over 300 people and grew into the thousands in later years. In the early years, I remember watching our Associate Pastor - who was the Children’s Pastor for a time - give a message to the children and I remember saying to myself, “that’s what I want to be when I grow up.” I couldn’t have been more than five years old.

In a big church, there are many opportunities to serve. I remember serving on teams as soon as I was old enough. Youth worship, kids ministry, production, coffee bar (yes, we had a coffee bar - don’t come for me).

However, one thing our church struggled with was small groups. There weren’t many. Almost all ministry happened within our four walls. Most leadership positions were filled by pastors and staff.

As a young person, I accepted the idea that in order to move toward my calling, I had to be in church leadership, but what I didn’t understand, was that ministry happens all around us. In coffee shops, in backyards, at the store, on vacation. There are ministry opportunities everywhere.

A fundamental truth of my calling is that shepherding happens everywhere, but there was one problem, I didn’t give myself permission to operate in a way that would help me grow. I was too busy leading worship, preparing curriculum, running errands for the Pastors, and the neverending tech support, etc. I kept myself busy, and at the end of it, I was no closer to my calling than I was before.

I was in a season of waiting. It was also a season of doubt. Comparison is a dangerous thing, and I would compare myself to the Pastors and talk myself out of certain opportunities. At some point, I decided that I needed to wait for the day that I could serve in the capacity I was called to.

I was waiting for man’s permission to operate in a calling that came from God.

Talking ourselves out of God’s calling for us happens all the time, especially when we’re faced with life-altering decisions like:

• Addressing a need in the church or community

• Transitioning to a new career

• Sharing the gospel with a friend or coworker

• Staring a creative project

• Missionary work

• Starting a family

• Starting a business

• Taking a leadership role - in the church or elsewhere.

God calls us to step out in faith and obedience, but also expects us to steward our gifts, talents, and opportunities with wisdom and diligence.

On the other side of the coin, I’ve seen people take positions well before they were mature enough to handle the mantle of responsibility. They are driven by their eagerness or ambition and overlook the need to spend time with God and bathe the decision in prayer and seek wise counsel.

There is a small percentage of people who find themselves with a gap in knowledge or ability and they work hard to grow, but they are the minority. I would guess that most people that take leadership positions before they are ready, will leave a trail of destruction behind them or the thing they spent so much time building ceases to exist because they’re gone.

There’s an inherent value to mentorship that’s lost in our world. So many people perfer to isolate and deal with their problems on their own. Never underestimate the power of godly mentorship. If you don’t have a mentor, find someone who is a mature believer and ask to meet with them. A mature believer will walk with you and pray with you. They will help you contextualize what’s happening in your life and calling, or at least give you things to pray about.

Now, back to this idea of permission. I don’t want to leave you with the wrong idea so let’s discuss what permission or man’s permission is not:

• Man’s permission is not God’s guidance. Just because someone opens a door for you doesn’t mean you should walk through it. An open door that’s not for you is a distraction that will lead to destruction.

• People may offer validation and tell you that you’re particularly good at something, but this is not an endorsement from God. It can be an indication of what to pray about and seek God’s guidance over.

• Man’s permission doesn’t empower us. God empowers us to do the thing that He’s called us to do. The person opening the door is not going to empower you. Only God can give you the kind of power and certainty that you need to be successful.

God’s Guidance Preceeds Your Calling

The Philistines, led by the formidable giant Goliath, challenge Israel to send out a champion for single combat. Saul and the Israelites are terrified, with no one willing to face Goliath. David, the youngest son of Jesse, arrives at the camp and is stirred to action by Goliath's taunts. Despite Saul's skepticism, David recounts his past experiences of protecting sheep, showing his trust in God's deliverance.

1 Samuel 17:34–36 (ESV): But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

David faced challenges as a shepherd, defending his flock from lions and bears, relying on God's guidance and protection. These experiences prepared him for confronting Goliath, illustrating that God's guidance precedes our calling. Through life's trials, God equips and prepares us for His ordained tasks, countering the enemy's attempts to undermine our value. Even in adversity, God works to ready us for our purpose.

Despite my humble beginnings, I've found solace in relating to others who share similar experiences. God has used my past trials to prepare me for what He has in store, showing that even amidst adversity, He can bring about purpose and connection.

God Endorses What He Calls

1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV): And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”

David's endorsement came from his past experiences of fighting lions and bears, demonstrating his trust in God's protection and guidance. Additionally, he received anointing as the future King of Israel from Samuel, further affirming his divine calling. Despite Saul's initial doubts and attempts to equip David with his armor, David ultimately relied on God's endorsement alone, using what God had given him—a sling and a stone—to face Goliath.

This illustrates that not everyone in our lives will endorse God's calling on us, but it's God's endorsement that truly matters. David's unwavering confidence in God's endorsement empowered him to confront Goliath, acknowledging that it was God who had delivered him from past dangers and would continue to do so in the face of this new challenge.

You might have faced doubt from others or even from within yourself.

When the need arose for a worship leader in our church, I found myself grappling with uncertainties. Leading worship is an intimate and vulnerable position, and despite having experience leading worship teams for years, doubts began to surface. I questioned whether I was skilled enough for the role or if I should stick to what I knew.

In that moment, doubt crept in, threatening to hold me back.

After struggling with the decsion for two weeks, I made a conscious choice to step out in faith. I trusted in God's calling, just as David trusted in God's endorsement when he faced Goliath. Like David, who wasn't a seasoned warrior but relied on God's backing, I leaned on God's affirmation to lead worship.

Each week, standing before a congregation takes its toll, but it's the power of the Holy Spirit that sustains me in this work—a testament to God's endorsement in my life.

God Confirms What He Calls

1 Samuel 17:45–47 (ESV): Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

God's confirmation of David's calling was evident in various ways. Despite being a young shepherd boy, David faced the daunting task of confronting Goliath with unwavering confidence, showcasing the principle of "Little man - Big God." The Holy Spirit empowered David for this mission, evident in his past battles against lions and bears, where he relied on God's protection. Through the prophet Samuel, God spoke and anointed David as the future King of Israel, signaling His divine endorsement.

David's boldness in facing Goliath stemmed not from pride or selfishness but from his trust in God's endorsement. He recognized that the battle belonged to the Lord and boldly proclaimed God's empowerment in the face of adversity. This confidence was grounded in God's past faithfulness and His promises, reaffirming that when God calls, He confirms His purpose through His word and actions. David's example teaches us to trust in God's confirmation and rely on His strength as we face our own giants in life.

God Empowers Those He Calls

1 Samuel 17:48–51 (ESV): When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

David's victory over Goliath was not the result of self-confidence but of his unwavering trust in God's power. His aim was precise, suggesting divine guidance in his actions. In my opinion, God was indeed guiding David's hand, ensuring the success of his mission. This highlights the principle that God empowers those He calls, enabling them to accomplish what seems impossible through faith and obedience.

David's story serves as a powerful reminder that when God calls, He equips. He provides the strength, skill, and ability necessary to fulfill His purposes, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. David's triumph over Goliath exemplifies this truth, showcasing the extraordinary feats that can be achieved when one places their trust in God's empowerment. As we navigate our own challenges and obstacles, let us draw inspiration from David's example and trust in God's provision to lead us to victory.

Just as God guided and prepared David for his calling, He is actively guiding and preparing each of us for the tasks He has ordained for us. Therefore, instead of waiting for the approval of man, let us place our trust in God's confirmation of His calling on our lives. Like David, who ran toward Goliath with unwavering faith, we too must boldly face the challenges and opportunities that God places before us.

Today is the day to answer the call of God on your life, whether it's addressing a need in the church, transitioning careers, sharing the gospel, embarking on a creative project, or any other endeavor. As you take that step of faith, trust in God's guidance, endorsement, confirmation, and empowerment. If you find yourself struggling with a decision, know that your pastors and senior leadership are here to pray with you and offer encouragement. Let them walk with you on this journey and seek God for a mentor, praying about what leaders are telling you.

Remember, the same Holy Spirit that empowered David is at work within you. So, keep in mind that God's guidance precedes your calling, and He endorses, confirms, and empowers those He calls. With this assurance, step forward in faith, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.