“The spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier….” How many times had I rehearsed these words* in my head during the days leading up to our departure? Even as I stood on the front lawn and watched the last boxes being loaded on the moving van, I remembered that this was supposed to be our “great adventure.” We were leaving the hills of Central Texas for the unknown frontier of Minnesota. In our rearview mirror was all of our extended family, dozens of our dearest friends, a recently-built home, a wonderful church, a growing ministry and mild winters. On more than one occasion, we asked ourselves whether we were crazy or not. But, along the way, we became increasingly confident that we were following the call of God.
Some think that the “call of God” is an esoteric excuse of the spiritual life––often used but rarely quantified. Who will ever challenge me if I say that God “called me” to my job, or a certain university, or a ministry, or a relationship? It’s like my children blaming a messy room on their invisible friends. At that moment, the conversation is over. When all else fails, you can silence almost any objection by simply saying “God called me.”
During our time of decision, I came across a passage that clarified my thinking in regard to God’s call. Specifically, I discovered the nature of God’s leading and the necessity of my response. In 1 Samuel 9, I found the principles I needed to venture out into the wild frontier.
The people of Israel wanted to be like other nations. So, in 1 Samuel 8, they asked for a king. The next 2 chapters detail the events that led to the selection of a man for the throne. A Benjamite named Kish had lost his donkeys. So, he sent his son, Saul, and a family servant to look for the wayward animals. The two looked everywhere but couldn’t find the donkeys. Eventually, Saul suggested that they return home lest his father become more concerned about the men than the mules. But, the servant suggested that they travel to the town up the road. A prophet was there and perhaps he could tell them both where the donkeys were hiding.
In verse 15, the author turns aside to give us some inside information. The day before, the Lord revealed to the prophet Samuel that he would meet a Benjamite man and that this man was the one that he was to anoint as the first king of Israel.
Imagine that! The day before donkeys were lost, the day before men went searching; the day before the prophet packed his bags, the Lord had in His mind what would happen next. God knew the end before Saul or Samuel ever saw the beginning. Before any of the events that would lead them to their meeting took place, God saw the outcome.
It’s what is known as God’s providence. From the Latin pro (“beforehand”) and vide (“to see”…i.e., video), God’s providence means that He sees before any of us ever open our eyes.
We live in the details, but He sees the big picture.
Six years before our move, a group of students from our college ministry met in a university café to talk about their future. All ten sensed that God was leading them to become church planters in Asia. With this vision, they each graduated from college and accepted jobs in Houston, Texas where they could grow in community and preparation. When the time came, they traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend an intensive, missionary training school. During that time, the “Asia 10” stayed in the homes of local church leaders. In August of 2002, the Elder Board chairman of a Minneapolis church called me and said, “David, you do not know us, but we know you. The Asia 10 missionaries have stayed in our home. We know your influence as their college pastor and we’d like to talk with you about becoming our next Senior Pastor.”
Think about it. When a group of students were contemplating their own ministry overseas, God was orchestrating the pieces of my calling to come several years later. Before I ever opened the first chapter, He knew how the story would end! His providence gives me a wonderful security in answering His call. If God sees, knows and arranges the events of my life…If He determines the times set for me and the exact places where I will live (Acts 17:26)… If He knows the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11)…then I have no worry in following Him where He leads. I can be sure that, when the Lord calls, He is in control.
Signposts to Point the Way
However, Saul didn’t know that Samuel had received this information from God. When the two meet, Samuel introduced himself to Saul and said,
"Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father's family?"
Without question, this must have been a shock to Saul. A prophet invites you to dinner, proves that he has insight into your life and then tags you as king! How is the young man supposed to make sense out of such a strange encounter?
One of my children once told me a riddle: You are in a room with two doors––one that leads to life and the other to death. A man guards each of the doorways. One man always tells a lie and the other always tells the truth. You may only ask one question to one man. What question do you ask to determine the door to life?
“I have no idea!” I said. “Who thinks up problems like this!?”
Yet, I have thought about the call of God as a similar dilemma. He presents us with two doors––one that leads to a joyful, contented life in His will and the other that leads to misery and frustration outside of His will. We are left to figure out which way to take. And God stands back, arms crossed, watching us as we wrangle with the riddle.
If Saul had been left with only Samuel’s first words to confirm his call, he would have been confused. Even the most spiritually sensitive person would have been scratching their head at such an encounter. But, God doesn’t call without clarity. In the rest of the passage, we see signposts that God used to direct Saul along the way. In my own calling, I have seen these same signposts that give confidence in where God is leading.
Circumstances of life. The scattering of donkeys was the event that God used to lead Saul to a new place in life. Unexpected (and seemingly unimportant) circumstances are often how God points the way. The loss of a job might be how the Lord makes time available for us to pursue a ministry. A sudden inheritance might be His provision to support a person in need. The gift of a book might be what the Lord uses to give us a fresh perspective on some area of struggle.
After progressing through several interviews with the church in Minneapolis, my wife and I had a conversation about the sober reality of leaving all that we loved for all that was unknown. I asked her whether she thought that God was calling us to this new church. She responded with confidence. Six months earlier, she was diagnosed with and treated for thyroid cancer. She remarked that her sudden illness reminded her of the brevity of life and the importance of walking by faith. God had used the circumstances of her illness to point the way in His calling.
Divine encounters. Samuel just happened to be in the town ahead. Saul and the servant just happened to meet him along the road. And, Samuel just happened to know that the two were looking for donkeys. Sometimes, God arranges the pieces of life in such a way that there is no question that His hand is at work among us.
A young man felt led to seek counseling for a problem but didn’t have enough money for the sessions. The next day, he was offered a contract job that provided the exact amount of the counseling. Or, a lady prays, “Lord, I want to be more compassionate to others and able to meet their needs.” As she walks into her office building, she meets a homeless woman with her two children.
Some time ago, a missionary believed that God might be leading him to start a special school for missionary children. However, he lacked the skills to do what was on his heart and decided to return to the United States to seek the advice of an expert who was renown for starting similar schools. Before he was to leave the country, he was ordering lunch at a fast food restaurant. He detected American voices nearby and, turning to introduce himself, he discovered that the man he was going to meet was right behind him! Divine encounters like this are what God uses to confirm His calling.
Spiritual leadership. How fortunate Saul was to have a spiritual man like Samuel to give him directions during this time in his life. Several times, in verses 21-27, we notice prophet having specific conversations with Saul to help him understand the purposes of God in his life.
All of us need leaders who speak into our lives––spiritual men or women who will communicate the heart of God at specific times. Timothy had a mother and grandmother who directed him in his youth (1 Timothy 1:5). Joshua was strengthened by Moses (Deuteronomy 31:7-8) and Elisha led his servant to see the powerful strength of the Lord (2 Kings 6:17) at a moment of crisis.
Before I made a decision to move my family, I sought the counsel of my spiritual mentor. Rob had stood with me for almost 20 years and has provided insight on almost every major decision from marriage to ministry. Because he had walked closely with God, I could trust him to communicate God’s heart to me in many matters.
God gives us the “counselor” of His Word to guide us along the path of righteousness (Psalm 119:24). Then, He sends His Holy Spirit to gives us the internal direction that we need (John 14:16). But, beyond these two essential foundations, He supplies spiritual leaders who love both and can offer clarity in His call.
Special anointing. Just before Saul left Samuel, the prophet kissed him and poured a flask of oil on his forehead (1 Samuel 10:1). Then, Samuel told the king-to-be of a series of changes that would take place. Saul’s heart would be transformed and he would become king-material.
God’s call has both an internal and external element. It is subjective as well as objective. An inward change will often correspond to outward indicators. A change of heart will lead a person to look for the other signposts.
For us, it might be a growing passion to teach. Or, a short-term mission trip might stir a heart of mercy. Perhaps you experience a strong yearning for theological training the more you listen to a favorite speaker. Or, through a prayer request from a friend, you develop a burden or conviction for something. I encourage disciples to “try anything once” for the chance for God to kindle in us a flame that eventually bursts into a fire of Divine calling.
The call of God isn’t a riddle. He provides the signposts to point the way.
And then, He provides the power.
Not Empty-Handed
It’s an overwhelming afternoon for Kish’s son. One moment he’s out looking for donkeys and the next moment, he finds a throne. It’s proof that we have no idea what God may be calling us to next. But, we can be sure that God will never call us to a place where His power does not precede us.
When Saul left Samuel to return home, he was given the ability to “do whatever his hand finds to do” because God was with him (1 Samuel 10:7). The power of God was upon him (v. 10) so that he was able to fulfill the task that God had given him to do. He wasn’t sent empty-handed. He had what he needed for his call.
One of the greatest obstacles we face in obedience is inadequacy. We would share the gospel with a friend “if we could.” We would reconcile a conflict if we knew how. We would disciple another if we had the training. The terrible fear of failure prevents many from stepping out into the landscape of faith.
If I waited until I possessed enough knowledge, skills, expertise, time, bubbling passion or insight before I stepped into ministry, nothing would ever get done. God doesn’t call us because we are qualified. He qualifies us by giving all that we need for whatever He calls us to do. Indeed, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).
Moses didn’t think that he could accept God’s commission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He lacked the eloquence and reputation needed for such a task. To this, God replied, “I make tongues and I’ll be with you” (my translation). In other words, God promised to provide the power and presence necessary for success. Moses just needed to be willing. And, soon, he discovered that God does make able those make themselves available for His call.
During our northerly drive, I passed a Greyhound bus on the highway. I remembered their slogan: “Get on board and leave the driving to us.” After a dozen hours on the road, I thought, “What a luxury—to have someone else at the wheel.” That’s what God guarantees as we follow His call in our life. If we will get on board, we can leave the driving to Him.
The Rest of the Story
For one and a half chapters, the account of the calling of Saul has been moving toward a crescendo. The providence of God, the signposts along the way and the power for the job are present. But, the story doesn’t end as we would have expected.
Samuel gathered all the people together to present their new king. Each checked to see if they had the “winning ticket” as he eliminated tribes, clans and families. After a drum roll and trumpet fanfare, Saul’s name was announced. But, he was nowhere to be found. Just silence.
Confused, the people asked the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” (v. 22). Perhaps he was just late. He was just a little behind schedule. Who would miss such a grand event?
The Lord answered, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” The call was clear, but Saul was cowering in a coat closet.
In God’s call, the response is always human. He doesn’t coerce, beg, manipulate or shame us into obedience. He invites us into an adventure that can only be entered by faith and then He gives us the freedom to obey.
There are four kinds of Christians. Some do not know that God calls them to anything. Others choose not to know God’s call. They are afraid of what might be, like a child afraid of monsters under the bed. Still others do know what God is calling them to, but they choose not to answer the call. They look at “Caller ID” and elect not to pick up the line. Finally, some know God’s call and, no matter what, choose to follow Him where He leads. They walk by faith and discover God’s rich blessings along the way.
As the moving truck drove away, I ventured back inside our empty home. As I went from room to room, I recounted wonderful memories of our family. I confess that I felt a bit of fear about so many unpredictable things ahead. I also sensed a bit of foolishness. How could I leave so much for so much unkown? And, then I began to cry. Not just a few tears, but heavy sobbing. The call of God was hard.
I think Abraham might have cried when he led his son Isaac to the altar. Joseph wept when he saw his brothers after years of separation while he stayed the course of God’s call on His own life in Egypt. Elijah moaned in despair when he felt so alone after taking on the priests of Baal. Each chose a path that any of them just as well might have rejected because the personal challenges would be too difficult.
But, the spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier. That means that, while the difficulty was very real, the opportunity for unexplored joy was ahead. It made no human sense why I would leave so much behind, but in the call of God, I didn’t want to be found hiding among the baggage.
I can identify with the cell phone ads many people remember seeing on television. A man travels to every region of the world asking “Can you hear me now?” Another orders 100 oxen and gets a “herd of dachshunds” instead. I understand the message because, with my own cell phone, I sometimes find myself doing gymnastics trying to get a good signal. It’s all about clarity. A call is useless without a clear signal and good reception.
God travels the world asking each of us the same question: “Can you hear Me now?” He beckons us to a great adventure. It is a long-distance call, person-to-person and collect. His call is important. His signal is clear. His power is provided.
But, we must accept the charges. The reception is up to us.
* “The spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier, and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed.” —Howard Macey