We are all looking for that “Aha!” moment, the one where God reveals His perfect direction for our individual lives. Whether it’s to be a deacon at the church, a writer for a ministry, or volunteer at a local shelter, it’s something we fervently pray for, or at least we should. But those special moments don’t come often; that’s why their called special. So what we often find ourselves doing is just waiting for that direction to get involved in serving.
I can tell you from experience that isn’t what God wants. We should be involved in some capacity at all times.
As a matter of fact, this ministry is a product of my doing something in the meantime. I felt God had given me a vision for a ministry to encourage and exhort men, but I hadn’t had that “Aha!” moment where God would unmistakably show me when the ministry, that would later become DUDEronomy, needed to be founded. So I put it on the backburner while I waited for that moment… but it came in a form I didn’t expect.
One day while I was doing my daily Bible reading, the struggle with why I had the vision but hadn’t started this ministry to men was circulating in the back of my mind. Was I missing the Lord telling me to go? Was I supposed to have started the ministry when God first gave me the vision? Was I mistaken about the calling entirely? That was when I came across a chapter that brought me to a conclusion that only the Holy Spirit could have brought me to.
At the beginning of 2 Samuel 7, David was sitting in the spoils of his long-awaited kingship. He said to Nathan, the prophet of his time, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Nathan replied, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” (verse 3) What an odd verse to speak to me in this time, but it did just that.
I felt God telling me that I am right in waiting on him, but that I shouldn’t be dormant in the meantime. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Now some take that to mean that if you love God, He’ll give you that Ferrari you’ve always wanted. But to me, that verse says if you love the Lord, He will instill desires in your heart that will guide you down the path He has for you. He was telling me that as His child He was with me and to go and serve while waiting on His calling; while waiting on that “Aha!” moment.
It is important to keep in mind that God will never put something in our hearts that goes against His Word. A healthy study and understanding of Scripture is required for many aspects of a Christian’s life.
God knows when the timing will be perfect for you to step into whatever calling He has for you. “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3) The Lord, in His perfect wisdom, will put you in the ministry He has called you to when He is ready. But waiting isn’t mutually exclusive with being dormant. Had I remained inactive in my waiting, you wouldn’t be reading this now. DUDEronomy would still be a dream in one person’s mind.
I don’t want anyone to think that this ministry will eventually cease to exist simply because it was made while I was waiting for my “Aha!” moment, either. God, again in His infinite wisdom and timing, has brought together an excellent team of men into this ministry. Even if God calls me away from DUDEronomy in the future, which I don’t foresee, He has brought men even more qualified than I am who could take up the mantle. I’m remaining open to His calling, whatever it may be.
And that is the heart we are intended to have: To be open to waiting on His calling, but willing to serve in the meantime. There are a multitude of ways you can serve while waiting on His calling. Your church is an excellent place to find these opportunities. Do you think every door greeter, maintenance volunteer, and parking lot attendant felt called into that ministry? Some certainly were, but I can assure you that not all of them felt called to that ministry. Some are serving while waiting.
Just as David waited years from being anointed to become King of Israel, but served in the meantime, we need to be active while patiently waiting. Talk to your pastor or church administrator to find ways to get involved in one of your churches ministries, or even a local charity or shelter. I understand that time is a factor in serving, but take that into consideration while you are prayerfully searching. I have two small children, a wife, a full-time job, three ministries I am heavily active in, and friends; time is precious. But sometimes I have to sacrifice my reading or game time to serve. Sorry if that hurts your feelings, but “thems the breaks.” As C.S. Lewis wisely said, “I didn’t go to [Christianity] to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I don’t recommend Christianity.”
So even if you aren’t in your calling yet, serve. Serve at your home, serve in your church, serve at your work, and whatever you do, serve for the glory of God.