How Do You Know?

Since I announced on Sunday that I would be leaving Trinity Church to accept the offer of a position with the Diocese of Huron a lot of people have been asking how to discover God's will for our lives in these important times of transition.  There is no doubt that recognizing the Lord's hand in things is a lot easier in hindsight but there are a few principles that have helped me along the way.  I have always enjoyed the story of Jacob making his decision to leave his father-in-law Laban's home and to return to the land he grew up in.  The story is found in the last part of Genesis chapter 30 and in chapter 31.  It would have been a major decision for Jacob.  His two wives would have to leave their father and family behind.  For Jacob it must also have been a dangerous decision.  He had fled from his father's house having deceived his father and grabbing for himself the birthright that would have normally gone to his brother Esau.  He would have no idea how his brother might react if he returned.  In the story we see the progressive steps in Jacob's call to go home.  In the 25th verse of Genesis 30 Jacob requests his father-in-law's permission to leave.  This whole thing begins with a desire in Jacob's heart.  I believe most calls from God begin with that desire.  But the circumstances were not right and so that call is not yet confirmed.  Jacob and Laban make a business deal that will ultimately make Jacob very rich and so Jacob stays.  The desire in our hearts needs to be confirmed by circumstances.  Eventually the circumstances change.  Laban and his sons become less favorable toward Jacob.  Bluntly put, tension arises in the relationship.  Finally Jacob heard the Lord speak.  In Chapter 31 verse 3 it says: "Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives and I will be with you."  I'm not sure exactly how the Lord spoke to Jacob but in my own life there are at times signs, there have been dreams and visions,  God has spoken to me through other people and sometimes it is just that still small voice inside that speaks.  However it happens I go away confident that God has sent a message.

How do you know when you are called to something?  When the desire of your heart, the circumstances and the voice you perceive to be from the Lord all line up, chances are it is really God who is speaking. When that happens be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you.