A few years ago, I worked as a church consultant to help revitalize a historical 158-year-old church experiencing decline. While attending one of the Sunday morning services, the choir began to sing a stirring rendition of Jesus on the Mainline; someone’s phone began to ring after the song. I was tempted to say, “The Lord is calling. Please answer the call.” 

You’ve experienced it, haven’t you? You’re in a crowd, perhaps sitting in a meeting, attending a lecture, or even, like I experienced, sitting in church when someone’s cell phone goes off. For most of us, this is an embarrassing scene, especially when we’re wondering whose phone is going off, only to discover that it’s our phone, and we can’t seem to silence it.

The average person spends four hours looking at their phones daily, checking them at least 144 times daily. This includes spam calls, robocalls, and unknown callers, who often annoy us when they flash over our phones. Other calls roll over to voicemail for later listening. But what about the important calls that cannot be ignored? The Bible consists of stories of essential calls from God. God calls Abraham on a journey. God calls Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Jesus calls fishermen to come and follow. Jesus calls Saul to become the Apostle Paul. 

Ok, so by now, I guess you’re saying to yourself, “Quincy, all that calling stuff was in the Bible, but I’ve never had an experience like a burning bush, a visit from an Angel, or an otherworldly vision from God.” Because our lives are so busy, it’s easy to ask, Does God still call people? More to the point, do I have a call — or maybe a collection of calls from God? 

We tend to wrestle with different questions, such as, “How do I know what God is calling me to do?” and “If God is calling me to do or be something special with my life, am I capable or even willing to be or do what or who God requests of me?” This was my case, and if you are reading this blog, there is a strong chance that this is also true for you.

A calling emerges throughout life, sometimes in subtle ways or in areas we have overlooked. It could be argued that everyone has a calling and that all of us—whether we are aware of it or respond to it—have the potential to hear and follow a unique and personal calling in our own lives. This realization can be a source of hope and empowerment, knowing that each of us has a unique role in the grand design of God's plan.

In May, we will delve into answering God’s call. The four-week message series, There’s a Call for You, will explore how God calls ordinary people like us to do extraordinary things. We will discuss how answering the call to follow Jesus influences every aspect of our lives, shaping what God calls us to do.

If you want to explore your call more deeply, please see my book on Amazon, The Q.U.E.S.T. for Vocation: A Personal Journey to Discover a Life’s Calling. 

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor