A call to ministry isn’t something that can be manufactured. It isn’t chosen for convenience or comfort. It’s something God presses into a person’s life until obedience becomes unavoidable.

From a young age, I felt a pull toward leadership and biblical education. Life circumstances, however, made that calling feel impossible. Over time, that tension contributed to my turning away from the Lord. In January 2022, that changed. God got my attention in a way I couldn’t ignore, and He hasn’t let go since.

To be called to ministry is to feel God directing your steps even when you’d rather stay where you are. I didn’t want to start a social media ministry. Sharing Scripture online felt uncomfortable and unnatural. Yet I couldn’t sleep until I obeyed. Calling demands surrender. It requires setting aside personal comfort for the sake of the Kingdom.

God Calls the Doubtful, Not the Polished

Scripture consistently shows that God calls imperfect people. From Abraham and Moses to David and the disciples, calling is never based on readiness or confidence.

One passage that deeply shaped my understanding of calling is Exodus 3:1–4:18. God speaks directly to Moses and commands him to confront Pharaoh. Moses responds not with obedience but with fear and doubt. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, English Standard Version).

God doesn’t abandon Moses in that moment. He continues to engage with him until “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses” (Exodus 4:14). Even then, God doesn’t revoke the call. Moses becomes a powerful leader, demonstrating that doubt isn’t disqualifying. Disobedience isn’t acceptable, but perfection isn’t required.

The same pattern appears in the life of Peter. Jesus gives him a new name and calls him early on (John 1:42; Luke 5:10). After being called, Peter rebukes Jesus, acts impulsively, denies Him three times, and repeatedly misunderstands His mission. Yet Peter becomes a leader in the early church, as seen in Acts 1:15–20.

Jesus doesn’t wait for Peter to master self control before calling him. The calling itself becomes part of the transformation. Studying these passages has made it increasingly difficult for me to argue with God about what He’s asked me to do. Obedience is the only faithful response.

When Calling and Appearance Collide

One of my greatest fears in ministry was that I didn’t look like a Christian. I’m part of the alternative community. I have blue hair, a septum piercing, and expressive makeup. When I began posting about Scripture online, my comments were filled with criticism from Christians who believed someone who looked like me shouldn’t speak about Jesus.

I prayed and asked God if I needed to change my appearance to be taken seriously. Instead of conviction, I felt peace. Within a day, messages began pouring in from people who normally scroll past anything church related. My appearance stopped them long enough to listen.

God used what others criticized to soften hearts that might never have heard the Gospel otherwise. It became clear that my calling was tied to a specific community. Meeting my husband, who was called to the same community, only confirmed it further.

The Danger of Familiarity and Arrival

One of the most sobering warnings in ministry is the danger of familiarity with God. Paul David Tripp writes that “awe of God must dominate my ministry, because one of the central missional gifts of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to give people back their awe of God.”¹ A person can’t give what they don’t possess.

I’m naturally a collector of knowledge. I love studying Scripture and theology. That strength can easily become a weakness. Familiarity can breed arrogance, turning devotion into legalism and reverence into pride. God’s conviction in this area has been a gift.

Closely related is the danger of arrival, of believing that visibility or recognition signals spiritual maturity. Tripp warns that “we must resist feeling privileged, special, or in a different category. We must not think of ourselves as deserving or entitled.”² I’ve seen churches fracture under the weight of unchecked arrogance. I’ve felt that temptation in myself.

There was a season when I believed a speaking career was finally beginning, only to watch that door close. At the time, I was angry. Looking back, I see God’s mercy. He refused to let me build something centered on myself. This calling is a gift, not an entitlement. I’d rather lose it than misuse it.

Obedience Over Fear

My calling is to share the love of God through testimony, biblical teaching, and a commitment to biblical literacy. Yet alongside arrogance, I wrestle with fear of being wrong. That fear has often kept me silent when God’s told me to speak.

This places me in the same position as Moses, fearing Pharaoh more than the Creator. I have leadership and speaking ability, but pride and fear threaten obedience. Ministry requires daily surrender. Sometimes hourly surrender.

I pray that God continues to expose the places where I choose approval over obedience and gives me the courage to speak anyway.

Calling isn’t about confidence. It’s about faithfulness.

---

Bibliography

Tripp, Paul David. Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase at no extra cost to you. I only share resources I genuinely love and believe will serve you well. Thanks for supporting the work I do through Me and Jesus.