Why can't I hear God's calling for my life?

Last week we aired, Your Divine Design, a series that helps you discover your primary spiritual gift; yet, what I hear from a lot of people is “Why can’t I hear Gods’ calling for my life?” or “I’ve prayed about discovering my primary spiritual gift, but I’m confused and don’t really know what God wants me to do with my life.”

Well, just so you don’t feel alone, I want you to know I’ve experienced the same thing a number of times in my life.  As I a look at scripture, wise counsel, and reflect back on my own journey, I think there are some common barriers or roadblocks that keep us from hearing God’s voice and getting clear directions on our Life Mission.

ROADBLOCK #1 – “The Dropped Call Syndrome”

Have you ever been talking on your cell phone and walked into an elevator only to find you are immediately cut off… the call was dropped.  Or, another more common experience for me is the new Super Target near our home.  When Theresa  and I go there we usually head out in different directions and then spend a lot of time trying to find each other…the reason…there is so much metal in the building our cell phones don’t work inside.

Like many, sometimes we long to hear a clear word from God about our future vocations and Life Mission, but we’re disconnected.   Jesus said to his closest followers on the last night of his life, “If you abide in me (continue in my word for the purpose of applying it to your life) and my word abides in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you” (John 15:7). 

In other words, if we are not connected from the heart (unhurried time in Gods’ word and sharing our concerns with Him) we will not be able to hear His voice or call on our lives.  God’s call first and foremost is to a reason (Jesus), not to a task.  His primary concern and desire is relationship not assigning you a job to do.  At times in my life I have allowed myself to get so busy “doing things for God” that it has destroyed my “relationship with God.”

Why would a loving, heavenly Father tell you and me what the next task is if we are spending time in the spiritual living room or around the table sharing hearts and sharing lives?

ROADBLOCK #2 – “The Answer is on Call Waiting”

Sometimes God is ready to give us the answer to the big questions in our lives, but we are preoccupied or simply refuse to respond to an earlier message.

A number of years ago when I was investigating this whole issue of God’s purpose for my life I got very frustrated with the Lord because it appeared He refused to answer me.  I studied, got wise counsel, took some inventories to evaluate my strengths, but it all piled up into a heap of mixed messages and confusion.  Frustrated and depressed, I cried out to God and asked Him why He was withholding His will for my life?  I didn’t like where I was, I didn’t want to study and I desperately needed to know where to go and what to do!!!

Although it was not an audible voice, I heard the Lord specifically say into my ear, “Chip, why should I reveal more of my specific will to you when you are not obeying what I’ve already shown you in my Word?”  Then Jesus reminded me of my ungrateful heart and that it is His will that I “be thankful in all things” (1 Thess. 5:18). I had resented in my heart toward a person and yet it was His will that I “forgive others just as He has forgiven me” (Matt. 6:12).

Often we cannot hear God’s voice about our future unless we are responding/obeying to what we already know.  This was Jesus’ point in Mark 4 when He finished the Parable of the Seed and the 4 types of soil.  To those who “hear” (respond in obedience) to the light they have been given (truth from the word) they receive more light (insight, direction and truth) but to those who do not respond to the light given, even what they love will be taken away.

So, as we continue this month to explore our gifts and calling, let me remind you to:

1) Stay connected – abide – enjoy and get to know Jesus as your #1 priority.

2) Face the hard stuff – obey – do what you already know is God’s will as revealed in His word so He can show you His more specific will for your future.

It’s a journey!  He is patient!  Don’t get discouraged!  You are valuable.  He wants to speak.  He will speak!

Keep pressin' ahead!

Chip
 

 

 

Comments

[Cristy Corso]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[Donna]

Thank you Chip for your insight...I am so thankful to have found your website...our Sunday School class is currently doing your series on "Experiencing God's Dream for your Marriage" It has been such a blessing...