As I mentioned in my previous post, God is obviously the one who called me to professional, ordained ministry, but there have been a lot of people (a "cloud of witnesses") cheering me along the way.
As someone who was baptized as an infant in a small, rural United Methodist Church in Polk, Nebraska, I have known that I somehow belonged to God from the beginning. We moved around a lot, and eventually settled in the Seattle area. I was active in my high school youth group, and was asked to tell the congregation about a retreat we had gone on. Following that worship service an elderly woman in that congregation told me something I had never heard before and hoped never to hear again... "You would make a wonderful pastor!" I thought she was crazy. In hindsight I just wasn't ready. Yet.
Following some "wilderness" years through college and beyond, when I was not certain of anything except my own nagging doubts and questions, I decided that I needed a sense of being grounded in a faith community to aid me in my spiritual searching. We found a vital and vibrant community of faith, and while in that church many people began to invite me into leadership positions (small group, worship, church visioning, etc.). After a particularly powerful retreat, I was asked about the impact of that time away. I replied that if God wanted it all, God was going to get it all. That person replied that it was wonderful that I was going to pursue ordination. I was perfectly happy as a physical therapist, and my family and I craved stability since both my wife and I moved a lot until we were age twelve. "What are you talking about?" But the question lingered and burned away at me. "Really, God? Me? But I am really happy, and I don't want to go..."
I then entered into a season of discernment that was at times heart wrenching and difficult, and at times made my soul sing. I began meeting with informal mentors, both clergy and faithful laypeople, one of whom chided me to "bloom where you are planted," and not to worry about seminary, etc. I was already in ministry right at that moment, and my understanding of that would grow over time. Over a period of several months, I discerned that my life would not be complete without pursuing this path, and then I spent a couple of years paying off my student loans for my first career and investigating educational opportunities.
In my experience, I have had ecstatic (stand apart) experiences of the Divine but I have also experienced God speaking to me through other people. I have learned that everything is discernment, and everything is ministry. I hope we can all continue to listen...
Perhaps you are hearing a call, and if you are a young adult, you might consider attending Exploration 2013. Here is a link: ExploreCalling.org
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