Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-21, 1 Samuel 4:1-22, Psalm 78:58-66, Acts 4:23-31
Calling is rarely simple. I know this from my own life, but I’ve observed it in the lives of others as well.
Several years ago, I sat down with women from several different seminaries to ask them why they were going into ministry. These interviews were part of my doctoral research in which I explored the experiences of women and personal calling. For most, their stories were complicated and full of self-doubt. Their calling didn’t necessarily make sense to them. It was a huge risk or a financial sacrifice. As a result, some had resisted the call, while others had rejected it outright. But for nearly all of them, their story of calling was neither simple nor clear.
Too often, we assume calling is straightforward. If it’s really from God, there shouldn’t be any confusion, right? And yet, most biblical stories of calling are complex. Samuel’s is no exception. Three times the Lord called Samuel, and three times Samuel failed to recognize God’s voice. It was the fourth time, and only after receiving wise counsel from Eli, that Samuel finally came to recognize and answer the voice of the Caller (1 Samuel 3:10).
This is tremendously comforting to all of us who are discerning a call. After all, Samuel heard the literal voice of God, and still he was confused! This tells me that uncertainty, fear, and doubt do not negate the validity of a calling. Instead, they are the norm. In Scripture, nearly every person called by God for a task initially felt afraid, unqualified, or unprepared for the task. Few are the stories of confident leaders who trusted God without pause.
So, how do we discern God’s calling when it’s unclear? In their commentary on 1 & 2 Samuel, J.D. Greear and Heath Thomas highlight four key obstacles to discernment: inexperience, expectation, unwillingness, and sin. Samuel was inhibited by the first two; he didn’t know the voice of God, and he wasn’t expecting to hear it. For some of us, it’s our own sin that blinds us; we’re too committed to our own security and comfort.
No matter the obstacle, Samuel’s story points to one great help in our discernment: wise counsel. Without Eli, Samuel might’ve circled the house twenty times that night, hearing the call but never recognizing it. Thankfully, Eli explained what was happening. Not only did he recognize God’s voice and know His ways, but he also named Samuel’s calling and instructed him on how to respond.
The women I interviewed reported similar counsel from pastors, parents, mentors and friends—individuals who were able to help them name their gifts, pointed them to Scripture, and encouraged them to boldly trust God. This is a blueprint for us all: it’s always best to discern God’s leading in the context of Christian community.
The good news is, our God is a pursuer. Over and over again, He called out to Samuel, and He does the same with us. God repeatedly beckons us in big and small ways until we hear and respond to Him. And all the while, He sends us the help of His Church, His Word, and His Spirit as guides. He does all this because no one is more committed to our God-given calling than the One who issues the call.
Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, mom, and she holds a PhD on women and calling. She is a regular contributor to Propel, blogs at SheWorships.com, and her first book releases in October 2017.
This whole series so needed as I begin my journey to start a sanctuary for sexual assault survivors. Thank you for taking the time to do this study.
I am saddened by the end to Eli’s life and heritage. It’s a reminder to me that we are all susceptible to the schemes of Satan. When we start averting our eyes from the evil things of this world and closing off our mind and hearts to the Lord’s calling, it can be our downfall.
Amen. God protect us.
Day 2 is on calling, it’s just what I needed to read. I’ve been praying about God’s new calling for me in a season of caregiving, a season of rest from a ministry leadership and a season of chosen unemployment in possibly leaving behind my career of 11 years in clinical psychology to pursue career advancement in a new field. I have had my bouts of uncertainty as a Type A individual who for the 1st time in their life has no plan and no idea what to do next, but only the resolve to step out in faith. I’m so thankful to God, regardless of my own fear and uncertainty, that He still reveals His plans. Just like Samuel I’m not sure what to listen for or see but I’m praying to have the discerning spirit that he had and a willingness to hear from God. Thankful for this message today!
I, right now, have been called to minister to my immediate family! How many of us feel like we don’t want to be called to our family?
Girl, I’m with you. Witnessing to my unsaved family members has been on my heart for months, and God is faithful to keep calling to me about that.
My sister is having a hard time now, so I try to tell her how my faith and God is helping me. But it is hard to talk about it with someone so close. But it feels like God is calling me to do so, because He can help her.
Oh, how happy I am to hear you say that. I keep getting that call as well, but keep trying to push back. This sounds irrational as I type it, but it didn’t seem like a ‘call’ to me. I push back that it should be something different, but no, this is the call. You have helped to confirm that for me. Thank you.
As strange as it may sound, I am comforted by Samuel’s confusion and misdirection when the LORD first called to him. I think that we often begin to think that we must be the only people to feel confused and frustrated about feeling / hearing God’s call to us. But we’re so wrong!!! It’s amazing to see that not only do others struggle with the same things that I do on a daily basis, but so did the prophets that were appointed by Christ. What a comfort to know that we are not alone, that God does call us (although not always audibly; through others, His Word, creation itself…etc.), and that we do not need to fear the unknown or the lies of the devil saying that we are alone in our feelings. Praise Jesus for overcoming, for giving us the gift of His Word & for continuing to love us through our messiness / confusion.
I’m so thankful that sometimes God’s call comes in pieces! I’ve known for a long time now that I am called to be a teacher and work with kids. This new calling to minister to them is scary and I for sure feel unqualified and unprepared. If this whole call had come in at once I know I would have run the other direction. It’s so reassuring to know I’m not alone in this feeling and that God knows what He is doing.
I just started this study today, and Day 2 on calling, it’s just what I needed to read. I’ve been praying about a possible new calling for myself and have just been unsure of what I should do. I’m so thankful God, regardless of my own fear and uncertainty, still reveals His plans. Just like Samuel I’m not sure what to listen for or see but I’m praying to have the discerning spirit that he had. Thankful for this message today!
I am so thankful that God is patient in his pursuit. How, if we misunderstand his call, or are too fearful to act, he continues to reach out to us. Lord, I pray that you would make your call louder and more clear to me. And, Lord, give me discernment to hear you and understand you, and strength to act. I love you, Lord.