Calling...

Been thinking about “calling” the last few days.  In high school I knew without a shadow of a doubt I had been called to spend my life working in some type of ministry position.  Now over the years my understanding of what that meant has changed.  

In 2003 I was sitting in a movie with Christy and Jason.  Suddenly I knew I was called to go back to Africa.  I didn’t have the same kind of call with schools at either Truett or Georgetown.  I just knew something fit and God blessed those decisions.  So when are you called to something and when does God bless a choice?

For example: I feel like someone is called to live their life overseas.  I feel like that call is important perhaps crucial.  But what about in a relationship?  Is someone called to be a part of it or does he/she choose to pursue it and God may or may not bless it?

I was told when I was younger and actually still today not to ever marry someone who’s “call” doesn’t line up with mine.  But what does this mean.  Come on over the last 20 years I’ve changed my mind many times on what I might do with my life.  My call to ministry seems pretty open in regards to the particular kind of ministry.  I’m called to ministry but I suck at youth ministry so I’m not gonna do that.  

Hypothetically, let’s say I meet a girl.  Let’s say I really like the girl.  Let’s say she feels called to live overseas and I don’t.  Does that mean get out?  I’ve always though so and then a friend made me think a bit differently.  Is it possible that the call to be together overshadows the vocational call?  Which carries more weight?  Which is more important?  Does one have to come before the other?

Is it possible that I meet a girl, I like the girl, I date the girl, I even marry the girl and we still don’t know what we’ll do for life vocationally?  Maybe we just know that God has placed us together and we want to serve him together whatever way we can.  All this is crazy.

Where do thoughts of God choosing one woman/man and reformed theology come into the debate?  I don’t like reformed theology much, but I realized last week dating is a lot easier with it.  Breaking up doesn’t hurt so bad if God has it all worked out…she just wasn’t “the one.”  There is always hope he’ll bring the guy/girl along and the next one will be the one.  

But, breaking up does hurt.  And love isn’t easy.  And I don’t know any more about God and dating at the age of 28 then I knew at the age of 8.