Called

Bishop:         My brother, do you believe that you are truly called by
                       God and his Church to this Priesthood?
Postulant:     I believe I am so Called.

I will never forget hearing those words from Bishop †Matthews during The Examination portion of my ordination service. The Examination section of the service is a beautiful and intimidating recitation followed by a series of questions which no sane or sensible person would answer if they were not Called. In fact, the examination process had begun over five years prior to that day, requiring years of study, introspection, review, prayer, and soul searching. That five year process was required in order to truly discern if in fact God had Called.

Called
I have been asked hundreds of times by seeking Christian brethren any variation of, “how do I recognize when it is God calling?” The answer is not an easy one. As devoted people of faith--for who else would ask such a question if not a devoted person--there is a ready image of blinding light, divine sublime moments of peace, and the wordless hearing of God’s voice. All of these (and many more) are methods God has used to communicate and call both his chosen and those in need. Perhaps this is what makes recognizing God’s more subtle methods so hard to recognize.

I am fond of sharing how much I would love to look out my window to see a burning bush in my yard. The thought of going to that bush and hearing God’s simple and very clear instructions is, in itself satisfying if not realistic. I am not saying God couldn’t do that, I am saying that all of God’s methods of communication found in Scripture are meant to lead us to a depth of understanding. It is God’s presence which makes a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-5) important and God’s message to Moses isn’t simply about freeing the children of Israel, but about faith in the heart of the hearer.

Herein lies the first part of the answer about call, we listen with our faith.

Every Christian is Called
He has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:10

According to God, we are all called to a new life and a new way of being based solely on the fact that we believe in the Son. If I had to, I would say this is the general call as it is applied universally to all believers. It is also the foundation from which and by which the specific Call comes.

Living into the general call more and more creates a fertile life eager for God’s planting. Even as a house-side garden hobbyist who raises seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers can become a seasoned farmer with “dirt in their veins,” so a searching Christian will grow in the depth, knowledge and understanding of the Lord.

 J. Grant Howard, Jr. in his book, Knowing God’s Will, wrote,
“God doesn’t want confused, bewildered, frustrated Christians wandering around anxiously searching for His will. He wants people who are walking confidently and peacefully in His will.(37)”

Next week we will look at God’s Call from the perspective of hope and trust.

Peace in God’s Call,
Fr. Bill+