Discerning a call from God is a difficult thing. A call may start as a small nudge or as a persistent feeling in the back of one’s mind. This feeling might become strong, passionate or even overwhelming, but a person cannot live by feelings alone.
People live by their feelings much of the time. We are emotional beings but feelings are not a reliable indicator of our path. A person living by feelings alone is like a boat on the water without a rudder or a compass. That boat has no ability to be guided; it simply goes wherever the winds or currents take it. A person making decisions based entirely on feelings is similarly blown around by emotional winds. The problem of a life lived by feelings is addressed in the Wisdom Literature of the Bible. …show more content…
In his book, IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU’VE GOT TO GET OUT
OF THE BOAT, John Ortberg analyzes this moment. Although Peter is no stranger to operating according to his feelings, he pauses to make sure that this is something that he is called to do and that it is the Lord who is doing the calling. Peter is not getting out of the boat because of feelings but in obedience to the Lord’s command. Ortberg goes onto say that identifying a call demands the willingness to ask questions, the ability to discern the voice of the Master and the patience to wait for his command.
There are many examples of how different people respond to callings in the Bible. One of the things that make reading the Old Testament such a wonderful experience is the in-depth looks we receive into the thoughts and actions of the heroes of the Bible. We see that they are people who think and respond much as we do. We see their personalities and their moments of doubt and fear. We see that receiving a call can generate feelings of inadequacy or even fear. Ortberg points out that in Scripture; almost never do those who are called jump up and say, “Yes, I am up to that challenge. I think I can handle …show more content…
When Moses was called to lead his people out of slavery, he received very clear cut and explicit instructions. How did he respond? Exodus 3:11 says, “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’” God responded to Moses by working several miracles through him and yet Moses replies in Exodus 4:13, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone
People live by their feelings much of the time. We are emotional beings but feelings are not a reliable indicator of our path. A person living by feelings alone is like a boat on the water without a rudder or a compass. That boat has no ability to be guided; it simply goes wherever the winds or currents take it. A person making decisions based entirely on feelings is similarly blown around by emotional winds. The problem of a life lived by feelings is addressed in the Wisdom Literature of the Bible. …show more content…
In his book, IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU’VE GOT TO GET OUT
OF THE BOAT, John Ortberg analyzes this moment. Although Peter is no stranger to operating according to his feelings, he pauses to make sure that this is something that he is called to do and that it is the Lord who is doing the calling. Peter is not getting out of the boat because of feelings but in obedience to the Lord’s command. Ortberg goes onto say that identifying a call demands the willingness to ask questions, the ability to discern the voice of the Master and the patience to wait for his command.
There are many examples of how different people respond to callings in the Bible. One of the things that make reading the Old Testament such a wonderful experience is the in-depth looks we receive into the thoughts and actions of the heroes of the Bible. We see that they are people who think and respond much as we do. We see their personalities and their moments of doubt and fear. We see that receiving a call can generate feelings of inadequacy or even fear. Ortberg points out that in Scripture; almost never do those who are called jump up and say, “Yes, I am up to that challenge. I think I can handle …show more content…
When Moses was called to lead his people out of slavery, he received very clear cut and explicit instructions. How did he respond? Exodus 3:11 says, “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’” God responded to Moses by working several miracles through him and yet Moses replies in Exodus 4:13, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone