God's Call
by Glenn Weesies, John Wesley FMC (Indianapolis, IN)

As I stood on the trail, a shot rang out. I whirled around because the noise was loud, coming from close by. I peered into the woods, but no one was visible. I placed my hand on my leg and felt something warm. When I pulled my hand away, I could see that it was covered in blood. I had been shot! I would later consider this as God's call on my life.

What is God's call? How does He call people to service? We often hear that God calls pastors and missionaries, but exactly how does He call? Do you hear it? Do you feel it? Is it in a still, small voice? Is it a dramatic event? Or is it just a feeling? I believe it can be all of the above.

The Bible is full of stories about men and women called into God's service. In the Old Testament and until Jesus ascended into heaven, God called quite clearly. We remember how Noah was called to build an ark and save his family and the animals from the Great Flood. God spoke to Moses through a burning bush to save His people from slavery in Egypt. Samuel was called to service by a voice in the night. In the New Testament, when Jesus was on earth, He called His disciples to follow Him face-to-face. But after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Bible provides only a few examples of God's call. For instance, He used a blinding light to show Saul (later called Paul) that he was to become a missionary.

During my recovery from the bullet wound I had time to think. Why did this happen to me? What is the meaning of this?

While recuperating at home I read about the need for agricultural missionaries in Bangladesh. I learned it was one of the world's poorest countries. There was a desperate need to increase agricultural production to feed its starving population. I had been raised on a farm, had a degree in agriculture and was working as a soil scientist. After talking with my wife, Donna, praying and discussing my thoughts with our pastor, I submitted an application to a missions organization for possible service. Then I waited ... and waited and waited some more! I never heard back from the missions office. With time, I accepted that as God's response. God didn't want us in Bangladesh for some reason. We now know that God had other plans for us.

Over the years, while working in the secular world, Donna and I have found a variety of ways to serve. They have included ministering in choir, the church kitchen, servant ministries, church maintenance, human resources, on the nominating committee, official board, as delegates — wherever we can contribute. We have learned that God's call to service doesn't always mean full-time work in missions or ministry; it just means full-time service to God wherever we are.

Today, God rarely uses dramatic means of calling people, and it's often baffling to understand the "what, where and how" of the call, not to mention the "why." Are you waiting for God's call? Do you feel that God is calling you now or has recently been calling you, but you are unsure of the exact nature of that call? Are you afraid this call might just be your desire and not God's will? Do you think God has already called, but you aren't comfortable with it, you think you aren't qualified, or you don't want to give up the comforts of home and the security of family and job?

My suggestion is that you open your heart to the Lord and wait on Him. Get help — talk to a close friend, parent or spouse. Talk to your pastors. (Current and former pastors and missionaries often have encountered this before and probably have understanding that comes from personal experience.) Finally, and most importantly, pray for clarity and understanding of exactly what your call is. Let it unfold in God's time.

Donna and I are now close to retirement age. We don't feel that God only calls the young. We know that God calls those who are in their 50s, 60s and beyond. We don't feel too old for ministry. We are waiting on the Lord with obedient hearts, praying for His guidance and continuing to listen for His next call.