MAYBE IT WAS A WRONG NUMBER
Some days you wonder, don’t you? Was I called to ministry or was it just a bad connection? God calls people to be clergy, educators, church musicians, administrators, missionaries, etc. We know from the biblical record that people who have been called by God don’t always have it easy. Knowing that God has called you to a particular work in life can be a powerful support in times of stress. But there are times of discouragement that cause you to wonder if you have truly been called. If you have ever felt that way, congratulations, you are normal. But how can you be sure?
HOW DID I GET HERE
Step away from your personal situation for a moment, allow your cynical side to emerge, and describe a few reasons why people might have entered the ministry for the wrong reason. I will list eight that come to mind and you are invited to list at least five more.
- My grandfather, my father, and two uncles were ministers. Everyone expected me to follow in the family tradition.
- I always thought it was cool to see pastors stand up before people and tell them what to do. I’m a pretty good speaker, so I thought it would be a fun job.
- I always liked working with children and being an educator in a church seemed like an interesting way to be paid for what I like to do.
- I always liked helping people and was pretty good at it. Why not get paid for it?
- A youth pastor at a retreat had a powerful talk about becoming a pastor and during the closing hymn, he asked those who felt called to come forward. I did, and then I thought I shouldn’t break a promise to God.
- I was a clumsy child and a loner. When they told us about the heroes in the Bible, it seemed to me that might be a way to make something of myself.
- When you want to be a musician, it’s hard to make a living unless you can get a job at a church.
- I remember my parents talking about how much they respected our pastor. I thought being a pastor might mean they would respect me too.
OK, you write at least five more.
GOD’S CROOKED LINES
My guess is that as you read the list of reasons, some will make you a little uncomfortable because you can see some of them at least partly applying to yourself. I would be surprised if some of them didn’t touch you in some way. I would remind you that God’s way of operating often follows some crooked lines—Saul being a very prominent but not unique example. Some very good pastors came to their vocation in surprising ways but discovered deep authenticity and affirming satisfaction as they responded to that call.
So, here is your second task. Look at each of the statements that you and I have written and measure yourself from zero (not me) to ten (uncomfortably accurate) on each statement. Then take any that you have graded five or above, and ask yourself how God has used that less than perfect reason to call you to ministry.
For example, you might write something like this: “My family had a tradition of the oldest male child going into the ministry, so I responded to that pressure of family tradition. However, I can now see how my history of being around clergy in my family infused in me natural skills that have enabled me to be an effective servant of God.”
Sometimes when we grow discouraged, it is easy to dig up hidden, even embarrassing, thoughts to reinforce our doubts. If it is true that “in everything God works for good with those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose,(Romans 8:28), then it is possible that the call was authentic even if the causes were rather confusing.
