DEEP DIVE | Guidance
Life is indeed a labyrinth of choices. The overwhelming array of options, even in something as trivial as choosing a bubble tea, sends my stress levels soaring. Black, green, oolong or jasmine tea? What flavour? Original, almond, taro, lychee, strawberry, passionfruit, grapefruit, etc.? With milk, oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk or no milk? Hot or cold, half ice or no ice? Full sweetness, less sweetness or half sweetness? What toppings? Surely, no one could blame me for holding up the queue.
How to decide? It’s tough enough when faced with trivial choices, let alone life’s big decisions like whether to marry, who to date, what course to study, what career to choose and whether to go into vocational ministry. We’re increasingly flooded with choices, which are often all good options. Naturally, we can be scared of making mistakes. We don’t want to regret taking the wrong path. For Christians, it seems worse because we want to make godly decisions that please God. Besides thinking about ourselves, we add God and others close to us into the equation.
The Language of ‘Calling’
Many Christians seek certainty from their sense of God’s ‘calling’ when making decisions. The language of calling is prominent in guidance. In the Middle Ages, monks monopolised this language to describe their divinely ordained status. During the Reformation, Martin Luther brought it into the secular domain, expounding it as something available to all Christians. Moreover, he included in the meaning of ‘calling’ the sense of the occupation, class or office as God directs (Holl, 1958, pp. 128-136). In the modern day, we have largely adopted this meaning. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘calling’ as ‘a strong urge towards a particular way of life or career; a vocation, profession or occupation’.
However, this use of 'calling' language in the context of guidance is not without its challenges. Many questions arise. How can I be certain about what I am ‘called to’? Is it a matter of hearing God’s voice or relying on my feelings? Can I trust this sense of ‘calling’? Is there a fixed ‘calling’ for each person? What if I miss it? What if I don’t feel ‘called’? What if I fail to fulfil this ‘calling’? Can someone else question it? Using 'calling' language to refer to a sense of occupation or situation as directed by God is problematic. It can complicate the decision-making process, remove accountability, and potentially lead to failure and further indecision. Most importantly, it lacks a solid biblical foundation.
‘CALL’ versus ‘Call’ in the Bible
The word ‘call’ (Hebrew: קרא; Greek: καλέω) is common in the Bible, occurring over 480 times in the Old Testament and 160 times in the New Testament. It is used in two basic senses: (1) name or designate and (2) invite or summons. An example of the former is God’s naming of his creation. He called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night’ (Gen 1:5), the expense ‘sky’ (1:8), dry ground ‘land’ and gathered water ‘sea’ (1:10). As for the latter, we find examples from Matthew. In Matt 2:7, Herod called (summoned) the wise men, and in Matt 22:3-9, the king in Jesus’ story called (invited) people to his banquet.
Aside from Paul’s writings and perhaps several other New Testament references (Heb 3:1; 2 Pet 1:10), the Bible does not use the word ‘call’ in any special or technical sense. The agent of calling, its recipient and its meaning vary case by case depending on context. By contrast, in Paul’s writings, the word ‘call’ occurs 49 times, of which 48 have God as its agent and believers as its recipient. The one exception in 1 Cor 10:27 refers to an unbeliever’s invitation. It may be argued that Paul uses the other 48 references technically to denote God’s naming of those he has chosen as his people, his children, through Christ and his Spirit in fulfilment of his Old Testament promises (Rom 1:1-2; 9:24-26; cf. Hos 2:23; 1:10). This definition accommodates those references in the original Greek well, even though English translations have tended to interpret their meaning in the summons or invitation sense.
Importantly, nowhere in the Bible does ‘call’ mean ‘God’s call to ministry or a specific office’ (cf. Fuller Dow, 2009, pp.191-198). The word ‘call’ is not associated with God’s appointment or sending of key figures in the Old and New Testaments. While God called Moses and Samuel in the sense of addressing them by name to gain their attention (Exod 4:3; 1 Sam 3:4, 6, 8), the word ‘call’ is not used in the sense of summoning them to fulfil a specific task. Concerning Paul’s call, the Greek syntax makes it clear that he is called, or named, an apostle (Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1; 15:9). Despite being designated with the special title of an apostle, Paul’s use of ‘call’ in Rom 9:24 and 2 Tim 1:9 intimates that he shares the same calling as other believers. Indeed, all eleven references to ‘calling’ in the New Testament occur in the singular form, even though it belongs to the many who are called (e.g. 1 Cor 1:26; Eph 4:4). This suggests that all believers share the one calling.
In summary, Paul is the only writer in the Bible who consistently uses calling language in a technical way. For Paul, ‘CALL’ is concerned with identity formation. It represents God’s gift of a new identity in Christ, not his direction to do something or go somewhere.
Implications of ‘CALL’ for Decision-Making
This understanding of ‘CALL’ has significant implications for decision-making. First, because our calling is a gift, we have complete certainty and security regarding our calling. It is God’s work and is thus an objective fact rather than a subjective feeling (1 Cor 1:9; 1 Thess 5:24). We have no need to fear for our future or second guess our purpose in life. As Paul states in Rom 8:15-17, ‘For you did not receive the spirit of slavery again for the purpose of fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship through whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” […] Now if children, then we are also heirs — heirs of God, and co-heirs of Christ’. The destiny of those called is ‘to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters’ (8:28-28). As long as our decisions align with God’s purpose here, we have no fear of making the wrong choice.
Second, this understanding of ‘CALL’ means we make decisions based on our identity. In Eph 4:1, Paul exhorts his hearers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling (their new status in Christ). Whatever we choose, we must be primarily driven by our identity as God’s children. Will taking this position bring honour to God? Will this career help me live out my calling as God’s child? Will going out with this person please my heavenly Father?
Third, this understanding allows for freedom and flexibility. When making decisions, Christians must consider two main factors: (1) our calling given by God and (2) our specific situation as the Lord has assigned (1 Cor 7:17). Contrary to popular conception, the two are not identical. Careful examination of 1 Cor 7:17-24 shows that these are separate considerations.
Believers are called God’s holy people (1 Cor 1:2). This ‘CALL’ is fixed. As Paul says in 7:20, ‘Each in the calling which he was called, let him remain in this’ (repeated in 7:24). Being called God’s people is grounded upon our redemption through Christ (7:22-23).
By contrast, each person’s situation in life is different: one may be single or married (7:7-16), circumcised or uncircumcised (7:18), slave or free (7:21-22). The situation may change. For instance, a spouse may leave so that one’s marital status may change (7:15). A slave may take the opportunity to become free (7:21). Paul counsels his hearers who find themselves in suboptimal situations not to be overly troubled (7:15, 21). They are to find comfort in their calling based on peace (7:15) and redemption (7:22-23). A person’s life situation is relatively unimportant (7:19). Thus, while our ‘CALL’ provides assurance in difficult life situations, it also allows freedom and flexibility to choose better options if opportunities become available. What matters most is remaining in our holy calling (7:19-20, 24).
In the end, decision-making is not easy, but knowing that God has called us his children makes it less daunting. Whatever choice we make, we can be sure that as long as we remain God’s children, seeking to do all we can to please our Father, we’re doing alright. We need not let fear and anxiety run our lives. Rather, pray for wisdom, seek wise and balanced counsel, and acknowledge our own uniqueness in circumstances, personality, giftedness and experiences. What’s important is that our spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at our Lord’s coming. And in Paul’s words, ‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it’ (1 Thess 5:23-24).
All translations of the New Testament are the author’s.
Bibliography
Fuller Dow, L. K. (2009). Understanding κλη̂σις in the New Testament. Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism, 6, 191-198.
Holl, K. (1958). This History of the Word Vocation (Beruf). Translated by Heber F. Peacock. Review and Expositor 44, 2, 126-154.
