Many Christians wonder how they can find God’s will for their life, or God’s “calling,” as it is sometimes called. It’s really much simpler than most think. They are waiting for a dramatic moment… but it isn’t always.

I had a professor in college that always said that God’s call on your life would usually come in 3 types of calls:

1. The Call of the Burning Bush

Picture Moses, tending to his father-in-law’s flock in the wilderness, when suddenly, he encounters a bush ablaze, yet not consumed by the flames. This dramatic, unmistakable sign from God (Exodus 3:1-10) not only captures Moses’ attention but also marks a pivotal turning point in his life and the destiny of the Israelites.

Just like Moses, some of us might experience God’s calling as a clear, undeniable directive—a burning bush moment. This type of calling leaves little room for doubt; it’s a dramatic, life-altering encounter that redirects our path towards a specific mission or vocation God has ordained for us. It’s the kind of call that, once received, compels us to step out in faith, even into the unknown, because the certainty of God’s voice leaves us with no other option but to obey.

2. The Call of the Burning Heart

Not all divine callings come with the drama of a burning bush. For many, it’s more akin to the experience of Timothy, who, as Paul notes, aspired to a leadership role within the church (1 Timothy 3:1). This is the call of the burning heart—a deep, inner conviction, a desire planted within us by God Himself.

This type of calling grows within us over time, fueled by our passions, talents, and the opportunities God places in our path. It’s a gentle nudging, a warmth in our soul towards a particular ministry, cause, or vocation. The burning heart is God’s way of guiding us through our desires, aligning our passions with His purposes, so that what we do in His name brings joy both to Him and to us.

3. The Call of the Burning House

Finally, there’s the call of the burning house. This calling emerges not from a dramatic encounter or a passionate desire within, but from the urgent needs we see around us. It’s akin to noticing a house on fire with people trapped inside and feeling compelled to act. This call is about responding to the cries of a broken world, recognizing that God’s love compels us to move towards those in need.

This type of calling is vividly illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where the Samaritan’s response to the injured man wasn’t prompted by a direct divine encounter or a personal passion but by the immediate and pressing need in front of him. The call of the burning house is a reminder that sometimes God’s calling is found in the simple act of responding to the needs around us with compassion and love.

In discerning God’s calling for our lives, it’s crucial to remember that His ways are manifold and His guidance tailored to the intricacies of our individual journeys. Whether through a burning bush, a burning heart, or a burning house, God calls each of us to participate in His redemptive work in the world. The key is to stay attentive, open, and responsive to whatever form that calling may take, trusting that He equips those He calls. As we step out in faith, may we find assurance in the promise that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 ESV).

Here’s a story for you about finding God’s calling for your life:

William Booth and Finding God’s Calling for Your Life

William Booth was given the title “The Prophet of the Poor.” He is best known today as founder and first general of the Salvation Army. He became burdened for the poor in the cities of England, and began serving the poor and having nightly open-air meetings for evangelism. The Salvation Army, as his group came to be called, dispensed “soap, soup, and salvation” across the great cities of England, and beyond.

When asked about why he began serving the people near him instead of going elsewhere for his mission, he said, “”I seemed to hear a voice sounding in my ears, ‘Where can you go and find such heathen as these, and where is there so great a need for your labors?'”

Later in life, when the salvation army had spread across the Atlantic Ocean to the United states, a national gathering of salvation army workers took place. General Booth was too sick to come and speak, so instead he sent a telegram across the ocean. When it was received, the speaker rushed to the front of the room and announced to the large gathering that the great general William Booth had sent them a message to share with the conference. The room fell silent, and the telegram was opened. It contained only one word. Others.

Not self, others! General Booth was truly a man who lived loving his neighbor as he loved himself.

After he died, 150,000 people came to view his body, and 40,000 people, including Queen Mary, were in attendance at his funeral. It was a remarkable end for a man who was born poor, and served the poor all his life.

William Booth Quote: “Not Called, Did you Say?”

Here’s an excerpt from a sermon he preached, calling Christians to consider God’s calling on your life in light of the Bible:

“‘Not called!’ did you say? ‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.”

Powerful, Isn’t it?

If you want to hear more about Christian heroes and share it with your kids, please check out this post about family discipleship, or download the free audiobook on discipling your children here.