How do you know if God is calling you into ministry?

Question

Recently, I've been thinking of going into nursing (and hopefully medicine afterwards) so that I can be an overseas missionary. Nonetheless, I'm not entirely sure if this is God's calling.

It seems like everytime I'm close to God, I am certain that this is God's will. However, whenever I'm not close to God, I feel myself drifting toward other career possibilities, and nursing doesn't become appealing at all.

I've given this a lot of prayer, and am waiting for God's answer. Do any fellow christians out there have any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you really feel God is wanting you in this direction, go that way. Keep praying and hear what He has to say. Get further counsel from your pastor and his wife.

It is better to go forward in what is on your heart than to sit in the pew and wonder what's next. As you move forward, continue talking with the Lord as to each next move. He may just bring someone or something in your path which will show His will. And, as it was with the prophet, it may not be where or how your idea thinks it is - maybe not the wind or earthquake, but the still, small voice.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." (Prov. 3:5-6) Meditate on this scripture for a while.

Answer 2

This is just my personal experience, so take it as you will.

I was called into ministry about 3 years ago. I was in my early 30's and my wife and I had recently bought a house and were settling into what we thought would be our life together.

However, a series of events occurred that changed everything. Eventually, I became convinced that God was calling me away from what I was doing and into full time ministry. The key word in that last sentence is convinced. I was sure beyond any doubt. God closed the doors on my current life and opened the doors to ministry for me. As a result, I just finished my second year at Wake Forest University Divinity School. I will finish next year and start a new career at 36.

My sense of call was so overwhelming it was something I could not deny. The last thing I wanted to do is sell our home, move away from family and friends and go back to school. But I KNEW that was what God was calling me to do.

My advice to you is to seek what God is calling you to be. Whether something is appealing or not is irrelevant. Whether that is full time ministry or not is irrelevant. God calls everyone to something, and it is that something you need to find.

Send me a private message if you would like to talk some more.

Answer 3

Being a Nurse or being a Doctor is a mission itself to humanity. Staying where you are or going out of the country can be both considered as a service as a nurse or as a doctor. You may think of it as your calling.
I am not certain about you changing your mind whenever you feel far from God. Whatever career you take, there is always a certainty that you give out some kind of service to people and serving people no matter how humble or you think unrelated to serving God is still a service to God's people therefore you are serving Him. God's answer now actually lies in your hand on what really it is that you want to do.

Answer 4

When God calls you....He confirms it with scripture and or other people as well. He called me to be a missionary when I was in High School. and gave me the verse in Romans, how shall they know unless one be sent? I spent 8 1/2 years as a missionary in a Christian Drama Company. I've also been on 3 short-term missions trips and now I'm studying to be a pastor to go back out on the mission field. What He calls you for He also gives you a love for and it stands the test of time. I still feel that call even after 30 years.

Answer 5

I know when God is calling me to do something when I keep feeling that conviction and need to do it....it does not go away.
Even if I do not want to do it at the time, I know it is God because I know it is His Holy Spirit speaking to me, just that still small voice, that conviction when I have not yet done what I am suppose to--- that is how I really know! And I too feel the same about a ministry right now that I have been lazy in committing to, yet I know I need to!

Answer 6

When you are 100% following the teachings of Jesus such as "Go and sin no more." That is his instruction and is demanded for one who is to preach his Glories. Other wise you will just be a hypocrite like most others and screw things up even more. Als you need to know the original teachings of Jesus not the book that Constantine changed.called the Bible. The Gospel of the Naziriens is the original New Testament before Constantine took our so much of Jesuses life and added Paul who never even met Jesus. For info google gospelofthenazirenes.com Do you just want to be another of the thousands of misconstrued sects of Christianity because they don't have the original facts. OR do you want to be a real representative of Jesus and teach what He originally said? If so Then read His original Word, You will if you are sincere.

Answer 7

You know, it sounds like you are pretty sure of what you should do, but you are doubting a little bit. Look at it this way, whatever you decide, if He can, God will still use you for good somehow. You won't be cast aside because you didn't take a certain career path. Good luck.

Answer 8

I think you answered yourself already here. Your second paragraph says it.
Go with what God is calling you to do. Keep praying, you will know. sounds like you know already. Ask yourself, do you put God first? would you lay down your life for God? Would you find true happiness in any other career that was not of God?
All the best to you and keep us posted!!

Answer 9

YES wait until you are sure..Don't do anything until you know what his will is, he will make it known by doing something or sending someone that will confirm what you think.. Also your Pastor should have some idea if you are in a small enough church or a spiritual leader that you recognise ..

Answer 10

Yes. My answer is, this is very exciting, and wait. The bible tells us over and over to wait on the Lord. Just keep doing what you're doing, move towards what you want to do, and God will guide you. The closer you are to Him in study, praise and prayer, the more you can hear Him speaking. Don't worry dear, He will not let your foot slip, no matter what. I'm very happy for you, trust in Him to lead you, no matter where!