I feel called to

[AlanFromWichita]

I’m not going to answer this one.

 

[LegoGE1947]

http://www.animationplayhouse.com/Telephone-1.gif

I’m not going to answer this one.

Let voicemail pick it up:thumbsup:

 

[Rico_S]

To me, “being called” means that you have recognized the big things God is asking you to do, like being called to the priesthood. Or being called to marriage.

Sometimes “the call” is just that. Not that the phone rings or anything. ** But that Jesus specifically asks you to do a specific thing. **

I was literally called to become a Catholic. God told me to “go be Catholic.” Just like that. Many times - because I didn’t want to listen the first time.

This is the idea I have in my head when I hear people use that term. That they are clear that this is what God wants them to do. And I always wondered, how do they know God is calling them to this or that? What does that look like? It just seems when people use that term, it is simply accepted that “yup, they know what God wants them to do.” I really can not relate to this in any real sense. I have prayed for clarification, prayed for help on this and that…and not once have I ever felt with any confidence that God has called me to do anything. Sure, I have never been the holiest of men, nor have I prayed with the same zeal and determination as I am certain many on this board do. But I just don’t see how so many seem to have this confidence that what they are doing is bc God called them. Perhaps you are willing to share your experience here as to why believe such?

I have read about people feeling a “pull” or a “tug” from the inside, and I can sort of relate to that. I have come to realize, over the recent past, that I could be a much better husband…that I too often take my wife for granted. I have been feeling… this desire…this pull…to focus more time and energy on my marriage. Also, I have this strong pull…this desire…to be a youth coach, even though I would be unable to coach my own children. This would entail additional time commitments away from the family, essentially diverting energy/time away from my marriage. Both tugs are real. Are either a call from God? How would I know?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

It just seems when people use that term, it is simply accepted that “yup, they know what God wants them to do.” I really can not relate to this in any real sense.

I know what you mean. Another one that used to get me was "God placed it on my heart to tell you …,. "

But when I think about more, if they have a desire, that desire came from somewhere. And if God isn’t the one who “pushes the button” then at least He provided the equipment through which this intent is expressed and possibly acted out. That equipment would be our carnal minds. So God was involved somewhere between who or what had the original intent and the time the vocal organ create sound waves.

So without God’s gifts we wouldn’t have the heart or mind that desires in the first place. But that isn’t what the term sounds like. If I truly knew “God was calling me” to do this or that, then I would be obligated to treat is every bit as seriously as the Church treat ex cathedra pronouncements.

Maybe that’s it. If a person is certain with no doubt, whether it be to poorly trained mind, narrow thinking, or actual being sensitive to the inexpressible groans of the spirit, the person “knows” as opposed to “thinks.” So a person who is very sure of him/herself, even if because they’ve been brainwashed a certain way or misinformed about material facts involved, would naturally think there is no alternative to this way of thinking; therefore it must be the Mind of God. So in their world, it is without question God who is calling them.

Plus I think sometimes people use “place on heart” or “called to” phrases, to leverage support from others or to reaffirm the matter to themselves. That protects against objections, using intimidation or mystery – or just because it’s a hassle to challenge somebody who speaks that way. I’m guessing many times this is actually what’s going on.

So they either are very sensitive to the groanings of the spirit and can perceive things that you and I cannot, and are simply describing them to us, or they are in a world no bigger than the things they are saying, or … well gosh I guess there are as many possibilities as there are people.

Ever read Flatland? It’s about a two dimensional world where one of its creatures is visited by a three dimensional sphere, who tries to explain to the Flatlander what the third dimension is about. It was written 130 years ago by Edwin Abbott, a theologian and mathematician.

Here’s Dr. Quantum on Flatland.

So if you can’t see or understand a third dimension you may think 2-dimensional understandings of things are absolute and all-inclusive of truth. But if you can see a dimension the rest of the people don’t grasp then you have an advantage of understanding that they don’t, and are like magical. I think I’ve been on both sides, as far as believing God has influenced me in some specific way and that I “knew” He had. But it’s been only recently, in the last few years including the finale of my Dark Night of the Soul, that I was spiritually sensitive enough to be guided by spirits. Problem was, the spirits didn’t tell me their names, intents, or anything, so I didn’t know whether they were “good” or “evil” or some combination of the two, or if those terms even applied. From my perceptions all I knew with any certain is that it was spirit. So it took a hunger for the kinds of things that would please “Jesus” to “unlock” the law written in my heart and synchronize with it – thus birthing me of spirit, and into the kingdom.

Perhaps you are willing to share your experience here as to why believe such?

As the months went by and my behavior changed, I knew I was becoming aligned with even the most bizarre things Jesus said, and of what I learned (thanks to CAF for much of it) about mysticism and Dark Night, etc. and how they factored into my own experiences. I began to recognize my own life story in Catholic literature. That’s when I got many consolations and learned open let go of the bushel basket and let my light shine.

Both tugs are real. Are either a call from God? How would I know?

Your guess is as good as mine. So I’d first sort by good/evil. If either or both is evil, they should be avoided or modified so that they aren’t. If it is a matter of strategy rather than morality (which is better for my family, and my stewardship responsibilities to God) then you make cost/benefit analysis of each option. If neither one is clearly advantageous, well then that’s what free will is about. I took a class in discernment once; it isn’t a way of choosing between good and evil, but between two goods. IMO if you believe they are both good, then you are free to think anything you want about what’s making you still favor one option over the other.

Or you could consult what my dad called a “binary digital decision maker.” Flip a coin. Let “randomness” decide. Let your decision coincide with the behavior of something you can’t, or don’t know how to, control. This would be one way to symbolize giving the choice to God, if not actually doing so. (For some, their “binary digital decision makers” are their spouses. ) And it’s a form of surrender.

Or use the phase of the moon to decide between two goods. If all paths are good, then just pick one somehow and then let Rom 8:28 do its job.

“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” – Albert Einstein

Alan

 

[Journey322]

I am called to control the squirrel population

Poor little squirrels…

I’ve never understood why people don’t like them. I think they’re cute. I know they can carry germs, but unless you get bit by one you should be okay.