Discerning Your Calling

And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (Gal. 2:9 ESV)

​How does one know when he or she has been called by God into a particular ministry, whether that be Sunday school teacher, pastoral ministry, foreign missions, or some other ministry? The Bible gives us three guiding principles to follow when attempting to determine whether this is something God wants you to do or whether this is just something you want to do. These guiding principles are internal desire, external confirmation, and providential circumstances. Internal desires are the desires of one’s heart. Is there a desire to pursue a particular type of ministry? In other words, is this something you truly desire to do? This is an important question to ask because very often people will enter a field of ministry not because they desire to, but because they were asked or because the opportunity presented itself. While it is commendable to be willing to temporarily meet a need until someone more qualified can come along, it is never a good idea to enter long term ministry because one was asked to do so. We see this in the life of Paul who had a tremendous desire to reach the Gentiles with the gospel. External confirmation seeks to answer the question, do those who know you best believe you have the necessary gifting to fulfill a particular ministry? If you have a desire to pursue a particular ministry, however, those who are closest to you and know you best, individuals you trust and respect, believe it would be a mistake for you to pursue that particular ministry, you may want to reconsider whether this is God's will for your life. Again, we are told after Paul's conversion, when he met with the apostles in Jerusalem, they endorsed his ministry to the Gentiles and gave him the right hand of fellowship (Gal 2:9). Providential circumstances has to do with open-and-closed doors. When God calls someone into a particular ministry, he always provides an avenue for them to fulfill their calling. We see this happening throughout all of scripture. God never calls someone into ministry without providing an open door for them to pursue that ministry.