Have you ever had a calling from God?

[stanzaorganza]

My neighbour is an accountant. He is 33, married to a lovely woman and has no children. They are both very Christian and regularly talk about God in everyday conversation ie. when they got married they could feel God’s presence etc.

He has recently had a calling from God to try a long held dream to become a singer. He says he has felt God leading him down this path and can no longer refuse him.

This is all great but what does a calling from God actually involve? What’s the difference between that and just deciding you fancy a career change? As a non Christian this is not something I have ever experienced but interested to find out.

We can and should be our own saviours.

@Babdoc - if you don’t want your religion to be sneered at, and your religion to be respected
trying extending the same (Christian?) courtesy to those who do not believe. It’s the superior and sanctimonious attitude displayed in your post that has put the majority off organised religion.

The Christian bashing is a bit tedious.

I've never felt a calling but I think it would be lovely to feel that clarity. Where that line is between personal decision and calling is interesting but decisions we make are not always as autonomous as we think.

Good luck to your neighbour. I think it's great, signing is a wonderful form of self expression that brings happiness to lots of people and who is anyone to say he's no good at it. Especially if he's always chosen a career that he's felt pushed into, no-one should live their life with regret that they didn't have a go.

Many song writers are middle aged and not particularly attractive so even the songs we enjoy don't always come from where we think.

I'd happily swap my neighbours!

IF (and I vehemently do not believe there is) there is a God.
It sure as hell explains the absolute shit show of the world of the all mighty creator is pissing about with one persons music career.

Still no called up IT analysts/fish scalers checking in I see

Hayfevered , try actually reading my post before sinking to personal insults.
Nowhere did I state that I self identified with suffering as Christ - that would be unjustified arrogance.
I said I would rather LISTEN to the words of Christ than the sneers of atheists. Because I find Christ far more help as a role model and saviour than any scornful bile promulgated by atheists here or anywhere else.

Still no called up IT analysts/fish scalers checking in I see

I felt called to work in acute psychiatry- in psych hospitals and on locked wards and forensic wards.
Is that "challenging" enough for you?

Starlight gazers you can joke but why would they tell you? Plenty of people make career choices and are thankful to God for the opportunity and talents that get them there. Even IT analysts and fish scalers. As an analyst I'm very happy with my job thanks.

What I don't understand is how people think their level of ignorance about religion is something to be proud of when it comes to religion. Not just on Mumsnet but as a whole. People say it shouldn't be taught as a subject but when most of the world is religious surely people need the abilities to have an intelligent conversation or debate about it.

Also, if Jesus was a thoroughly decent chap as suggested, and stopping suffering a priority for him surely he would want a friendship/ personal relationship with all, not just the ones in his fan club?

I said I would rather LISTEN to the words of Christ than the sneers of atheists. Because I find Christ far more help as a role model and saviour than any scornful bile promulgated by atheists here or anywhere else

I think you’ve missed the word “some” twice in there.

he would want a friendship/ personal relationship with all

He does. Thats the whole point

I was vehemently against the idea of God for many years. Having always considered myself a very logical, probably cynical kind of person. I used to actually despise the idea of God. Especially when my brother died and some well meaning Christians told me they would pray for him because his suicide was a sin and he was in limbo.

Then whilst I was pregnant with my dc5, now 10 months old, I was bored and looking for a new book to read. I came across a book by Lee Strobel, a Case for Christ and something about it caught my attention. I think I saw it as a challenge, I believed myself such a strong atheist that I could read it and discount it. Instead I became a Christian. Obviously it’s a bit more complex than that, I realised I had always believed in God, after all you can’t be as angry as I was with something that you don’t believe in can you! I do believe I was being called for most of my life but boy did I fight against it. I literally said to Him, okay God, you win. I give up. I’m all yours.

It’s not easy being a Christian you know. Constantly trying not to sin whilst also knowing you always will, trying to follow the Word (Bible) and putting up with the same type of people that I used to be! It would be so much easier to go back to a life without God but it’s also impossible, for me anyways.

Anyways back to the OP, I obviously do believe that you can be called by God in many different ways. It’s been my experience that He basically bugs you until you eventually listen! It’s like a nagging feeling that you just can’t shake.

I would imagine your neighbour feels peaceful about making this decision-which sounds like a brave one, and believes its a calling from God. I’ve had moments where God has called me to do things, like helping lonely people. Through this, I have made a very dear elderly friend that i never would have if I didn’t hear from God.

I’m no more ignorant of anyone’s religion on here than you are of my non belief.

I’m a nurse - a science degree and belief in a God are not compatible to me. If others can deal with that disparity, who am I to judge?

But you are judging- you just queried why noone is called by God to do difficult jobs.
I was. yet I note you havent commented on that

he bugs you you listen

Yes, my abusive husband used that technique too. I didn’t give him a free pass to control me forever, and I wouldn’t give any sort of God one either.

@starlightgazers I see no incompatibility between science and faith, in fact they go easily together. Scientific discovery has given us even more insight into the wonders around us. Science glorifies God. There are many Christians who are also scientists.

@buffalocauliflower

I agree. I know a few scientists with a very strong faith.

Let's face it after all, nobody ever gets a calling to be a bin man or fish scaler. It's always something socially acceptable and/or glamorous.

Though god often calls people to kill other people in large numbers for weird reasons. That's hardly socially acceptable.

This thread exemplified the low level of debate on mn these days. Personal insults and disrespecting others beliefs is not on.

I understand 'callings' are to specificity to help others. So a calling to be a singer....

@starlightgazers

Then why hang out on this thread if it angers you so much?
I dont understand why you'd participate if its winding you up so much.

You should be kinder to yourself and step away if this topic induces that much rage inside you because I'm afraid you arent convincing anyone to change their beliefs by cursing at us all and swearing at us.
You are revealing a really horrible side.

@joystir59

YES

I'm trying hard though