5 Ways To Catch Your Calling Series

When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"

And Moses said, "Here I am."

--Exodus 3:4

As a kid growing up in the sand-hills of southwest Kansas, I developed an affinity for rain. It's not just the parched earth that cries out for the nectar of the heavens, but all the creatures living on it. We would watch as the dark clouds would form in the distance, and make their way across the treeless plains toward our domain. Then boys of 7 years and 5 years and 2 years would stand with their mouths open in a competition to catch the first drop.

A life purpose is like the sensation of catching the first drop of rain in your mouth. It provides one with drive and enthusiasm, motivation and direction. Catching this calling is as essential as the regular consumption of food--without a calling life enters the doldrums and despair can quickly set in.

The Bible is a powerful retelling of human beings catching their calling. Our church is beginning a sermon series on the life of Moses. Understanding how to catch your calling is just as important as the calling itself--without one, you miss the other.

The way we receive our calling is important, but not necessarily consistent. For Moses, it was an encounter with the living God through a burning bush in the wilderness. For Samuel, he heard the voice of God in the temple, but saw nothing. Many experiences involving angels and messengers sent by God are scattered throughout the Bible. And for some, they simply read the Bible, and understand that God has called them to action.

But what we simply must not miss is that every person has a calling. This sermon is about how to catch yours.

“God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, ". . . who will go for Us?" The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.”

― Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST - UPDATED [1]

5 ways to catch your calling

Moses' story in Exodus 3 and 4 is a case study in how to catch your calling. God calls to Moses from the burning bush, and Moses approaches with curiosity. God speaks to Moses about the atrocities that He has witnessed, and has heard about, happening to the Israelite people in Egypt. Moses is standing outside watching the rain clouds form and holding out his tongue to catch that first sweet drop of rain from the heavens when God drops the bomb.

"So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

Exodus 3:10

What is so astounding in the book of Exodus is wrapped up in this World Super-power under the rule of Pharaoh, and how God intends to free the Israelite people: Moses. God's plan is to use a shepherd-outlaw to redeem a people under law. It is only after a consistent downpour of the rain of God that Moses consents and catches his calling. Here are the 5 ways to catch yours.

1) Understand your macroscopic worth. (Exodus 3:11-12)

God's consistent methods of deliverance in the Bible come in the most startling of ways. A baby born in a lowly stable that is in fact the Lord of the Heavens? A shepherd boy who cuts down the God-slanderer Goliath? An army of three-hundred I-drink-water-like-a-dog-and-lap-it-up soldiers who rout their enemies numbering over 100,000? Just like Moses, we find ourselves saying, "Who am I?" (Exodus 3:11). But God says: "You are the one." Contrary to your innumerable insecurities, you are His obvious choice.

2) Know the One calling you. (Exodus 3:13-22)

"Names are the sweetest and most important sounds in any language." --Dale Carnegie

There is intrinsic power in knowing names. It is one of the first things you hear when you meet a business partner or a new neighbor. Sadly, it is often the first thing people forget. For Moses, he wanted--he needed--to know Who was calling him. Intimacy with Jesus is integral to faithfully living out your call. Have you talked to Him today? When was the last time you prayed and asked Him what He wanted you to do? Now is a great time to stop and do that.

3) Focus on obedience, not results. (Exodus 4:1-9)

Results matter. Few ideologies so plague the human race as this one lie. Study the life of Ahaz, once king of Judah. Look at king David counting his people. Watch Jesus in the desert...what is it that Satan tempts him with? Results.