(Christians only) How do I know what is my calling?

Question

I personally want to grow up and be a pastor but, how will I know if god wants me to be like a prophet or envangelist, ETC???

Answer 1

Hard question. Pray about it and let God decide for you. I'm still trying to figure out mine.

Answer 2

Interesting that you used the word "personally". Everyone has a calling for God has equiped his church with gifts to ALL of the members of his body. Your pastor is gifted and has a calling to be the preacher and minister of souls to look after the flock. On the other extreme, there would be say an elderly member of the congregation of 90 years old and doing nothing more than attending worship and barely made it to prayers meeting because of movement problems. He too has a calling and he can be gifted with the time and faithfulness to pray consistently for the church and the needs of it. I remember my church pastor saying that he would not be able to keep going had it not been for the prayers of the housewives of the congregation who have time to pray as they are more flexible with their time at home. So you do have a calling now from God. But you want to move on and be more fruitful for God's purposes - wonderful and it is a good thing. But you do need to be called by God and not based on your own personal wants. Those are spiritual offices and therefore require spiritual gifts and blessing. But look at the qualifications of office for deacons and elders etc and you will see that before their appointment, their faith in Christ were also seen and acknowledged by the congregation i.e. believers around them could see and recognise them. So too I think you will have to get into the congregation and see if indeed they can see the gifts in you. Obviously you need to be faithful unto God and hence the means of grace liek prayers etc needless to say, are things that will give you a bearing as to the will of God for you. I note that you mentioned "prophets" - surely you are not using the word in the real sense of the word as it is understood in the Old Testament. In those days God sent prophets but no longer so nowadays. God has revealed everyhting in the last days through his son Jesus so that there is no need for prophets nor will god send any nowadays. But "prophet" in the loose sense of the word is still required today - these are teachers who use their gifts to explain, comment and teach the bible (but not to add further relevations). Pastors and elders of churches are these. Evangelist - well - folowing Matthew chapter 24 - the great commission - we all as disciples are to witness to others and we are in a sense to evangelise in our ways to our neighbours etc. That is our duty. Pray that you will be blessed in your zeal for the kingdom of God and he will bless you richly in his grace.

Answer 3

Keep praying for the Lord's direction, make this a fervent prayer daily! I too pray for the Lord to open a door up for me to work outside the home when the time comes....and I have no idea what I am going to do. But I know the Lord will answer in His timing- I completely trust that and I want HIS will- I do not want to jump into anything without seeking Him first.
So just continue, and you will know when the Lord is opening that door.
I love this verse:
Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Answer 4

There are two keys for knowing God's will for a given situation (1) Make sure what you are asking for or considering doing is not something the Bible forbids. (2) Make sure what you are asking for or are considering doing will glorify God and help you grow spiritually. If these two things are true and God still is not giving you what you are asking – then it is likely not God’s will for you to have what you are asking for. Or, perhaps you just need to wait a while longer for it. Knowing God’s will is sometimes difficult. People want God to basically tell them what to do – where to work, where to live, who to marry, etc. Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."

God rarely gives people that direct and specific of information. God allows us to make choices regarding those things. The only decision God does not want us to make is the decision to sin or resist His will. God wants us to make choices that are in agreement with His will. So, how do you know what God’s will is for you? If you are walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for your life – God will place His desires on your heart. The key is wanting God’s will, not your own. “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). If the Bible does not speak against it, and it can genuinely benefit you spiritually - then the Bible gives you the "permission" to make decisions and to follow your heart.

Recommended Resource: Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado.

Answer 5

You might want to be a pastor but that does not mean that right God want you to do you need to asking him what plan did he has for your life and he will show you because he said in the book Jereme he has a plan for your life go and asking him what is it
GOD BLESS YOU

Answer 6

Just live your life. Study the bible, fellowship with other believers, pray, praise God, do what you normally do. God will show you. Remember, the doors He opens, cannot be shut. The doors He shuts, cannot be opened. You have the spirit within you, it will guide you. If you make a wrong turn, don't worry, He will guide you back. You don't have to worry about your future; He holds it.

Answer 7

Keep your reputation good. Work in the church. God will open doors and you just be willing to do what He wants. I am going through the same thing at age 59. I may possibly be going to Arizona for mission work and I am waiting for the go-ahead. Keep praying and learning all you can.

Answer 8

Pray and ask God for guidance.

God Bless

Answer 9

Blazin.... If you haven't done so yet, seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, once God's Holy Spirit is in your life and you begin receiving more and more fruits of and Gifts of the Spirit, God will guide you to experience many things in preparation for the road He wishes you to travel. :)

God Bless! :)

Answer 10

You have to talk to God, no one else can tell you, pray that He will reveal His will to you and open doors, ABOVE all, TRUST Him. He's in control, and no matter what happens to you, He's got everything planned, and He's watching over you.