[sendmeout]

Kinda new here, apologies if this is in the wrong section...

I was wondering, specifically as regards leadership in the church, or for missionaries, or for 'regular' Christians going on a short or long term mission... how do you know if that's what God wants you to do?

For me, I've just had a desire to serve for years... it started in my late teens and then I was hit wham bam .. 4 years of struggles and tough times.. and I've come out the other side more convinced of God's glory and love for me.. and my desire to serve grows by the day!

I am a 'try it and see Christian' .. I believe if you feel you may have a calling to do something, give it a go.. step out in faith and if it is right, God will catch you and bless you...

What does anyone else think? How do you know where you should serve?

[pompernikkle]

I guess I am similar to you -- I have wanted to either do missions or be a full-time missionary since my early teen years too.. God placed that desire in my heart, and at college I learned so much about other cultures...

For me, God had called me (or gave me a burden, as some of my friends would say ^_^), prepared me (even if I didn't know it), brought about the opportunity for me to do what He called me to do. When I was preparing to come to Japan for my internship with Pioneers International, God had opened some doors, closed others.. I knew that I was called to come to Shimonoseki Japan this year, and it wasn't like God had specifically told me.. it was a burden for Japanese people, and then an opportunity arose, and as I was planning to go, everything worked out -- I got my VISA a week before I flew out to Japan, I got a good price for my ticket, etc. etc... so along the way, God was confirming what I was doing, and He keeps nudging me to continually follow Him...

good luck with everything... sometimes I hate to hear this advice, but I will say, know His voice, where He is calling you, ask Him to give you specifics, to either open a door or close a door, and He will answer you. He wants the world to know Him, so it's His responsibility. We are to just follow Him and obey. and trust, and love, and all those other goodies ^_^

[adamkaboom]

I agree... the probability of God reaching down and saying "DO THIS" is possible...but definitley not very likely to happen If you have been in prayer about it and such your heart will know his voice. Although at times our hearts are deaf and God gives a good smack so we will listen to him. I myself have felt a calling into the ministry, (not really mission work) and I prayed about it. Now I'm just going all in on it. I still feel like that's where I need to be. Never be afraid to take a risk with God. Trust that he will pick up when you fail and never be afraid to stand on nothing but your faith in Him. If that's not where you are supposed to be... you'll know

[pompernikkle]

Originally Posted by adamkaboom

Never be afraid to take a risk with God. Trust that he will pick up when you fail and never be afraid to stand on nothing but your faith in Him. If that's not where you are supposed to be... you'll know

amen!!