There’s much confusion and angst among believers about finding God’s will, purpose, or call for their lives. Unfortunately, much of that is created by those who misinterpret scripture or misguide their followers.

There are only two types of ‘calls’ from God and both are made clear by Him. There is a universal call that applies to all believers. This does not require guidance; it only requires our response.

This universal call to all believers centers on the ministry of reconciliation — bringing others to God for a restored relationship with Him.

The other call in Scripture is for certain people to do a certain task and fulfill a certain purpose for a moment in God’s timeline. This call may be lifelong, but it is often a brief, one-time event, for a limited time in someone’s life.

Examples include the shepherds at Jesus’ birth who were to go and see and then tell others (Luke 2:16–18), the man blind from birth so Jesus could heal him at that moment in time (John 9:3), or Noah’s sole purpose to build the ark and save a remnant of mankind (Genesis 6:9–22).

Masses of believers are not called to pastor a church (specific call) but all are called to witness (universal call) so others may be reconciled to God.

A person called for a single purpose will clearly know what that is when God reveals it and confirms with others His plan for that person. His call is never hidden, not a secret, and certainly not complicated to discover.

Here are examples of God clearly showing His call on every believer.

God’s General/Universal Call for all Believers, No Special Gift(s) Required

· Created in God’s image for a relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27)

· Called to salvation to restore the eternal relationship with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9)

· Called to witness to reconcile others (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18)

· Called to minister/respond/serve each other (Ephesians 4:11–16)

· Called to finish our race, running to the end (Hebrews 12:1; Acts 20:24)

God’s Specific/Vocational Call to Some Believers, with Temporary Use of Spiritual Gift(s)

· Pastor/Elder/Bishop (Pastor/Teacher gift) — Ephesians 4:11

· Preacher/Evangelist (Prophet/Evangelist gift) — Ephesians 4:11

· Missionary/Apostle (defined as one who is sent — cross-cultural ministry) — Acts 13:2–3

· Specific Purpose — examples follow… 

• Life of Joseph to ultimately save his family/God’s people from worldwide famine
• Samuel was called at age 3 to be a Prophet to God’s people
• Samson called at birth to be a separated Nazarite and judge for God’s people
• David was anointed to be king at age 12, and became king at 40 over God’s people
• Jonah called to Ninevah to deliver God’s message of reconciliation
• John the Baptist called before birth to pave the way of Jesus
• Timothy called in his youth to shepherd God’s people
• Abraham called at age 75 to father Isaac and propagate God’s people
• Moses was called at age 80 to lead God’s people out of Egypt

These specific calls were very clear and known by others of God’s intentions and plan. There was no guessing or need for intercessory praying in search of God’s will or call.

Conclusion

Stop taking Scripture out of context. Stop all the guilt and angst on having to “find” God’s will. It is wasted energy in our vertical and horizontal relationships.

This should encourage every believer. God’s universal call for all of us is answered wherever we are, doing whatever we do while becoming what God wants us to be — conformed to the image of Jesus. God’s specific, temporary call is clear and answered when a believer is ready to submit to God’s plan in that moment of his or her life.

Never be confused about God’s call again. Relax. Enjoy the freedom you have in Christ — free from guilt, from condemnation, from a separated, broken relationship that has now been restored (reconciled). Allow God to lead through the filling and control of the Holy Spirit and you will become more like Jesus while being ready to answer and do God’s call.