Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing conversation at The King’s University about the big callings God has for us. Inspired by the moment on an airline when God called Pastor Jack Hayford to start TKU, we want to know: What’s your 30,000-foot calling?
When I was 30 years old, I was an associate pastor at a church. As we began adding multiple campuses, the senior pastor asked me to be the pastor of the main campus. I thought, “I’m only 30; I’m not ready to do something like this.” I needed God to tell me if I should take on all that responsibility at such a young age. So I went away and spent some time with the Lord, worshipping, praying and writing. I heard the Lord tell me to read Luke 3. I turned there in my Bible, and in verse 23 it says, “Jesus Himself began His ministry at about 30 years of age.” That word from God confirmed to me I was supposed to accept the new position.
See, God’s Word is eternal. If He spoke it 3,000 years ago, it’s still true today. It’s simple to hear a clear word from God by reading His Word. The first step is to enter His presence. Psalm 100:4 tells us we do this by praising Him. When you feel His presence, that’s when you begin to pray. The amazing thing about that verse is God invites us to make our requests known to Him. If you want to talk about your family, your marriage, which job to take or what school to send your children to, God welcomes your requests. If you don’t get anything else out of today’s devotion, get this: You have a personal relationship with God, and He wants to talk to you.
Now, after you’ve spent some time praising Him and praying, the next step is to open the Bible. A lot of times when I need a word from God, I ask Him where He wants me to read. If a Bible story comes to mind when you’re spending time in God’s presence and praying, read it. If you’re going through a financial problem, read verses about finances and stewardship. If you’re going through a health problem, read verses on health and healing. It helps to write down your prayers and what you hear God saying.
I encourage you to do this every day, and I suggest setting aside 30 minutes each time. If you have 30 minutes to praise, pray and ask for God to make His Word come alive in you each day, it will change your life. Do you have an important decision you need to make? Do you need to know which direction to go in your life? Then get in the Word and make your requests known to Him.
